About this opportunity
Researchers who want their work read, heard and understood beyond the academy can apply for this tailor-made training course on pitching to and writing for the media. It is facilitated by Universal Impact and The Conversation, the journalism platform where academics publish conversation pieces themselves, and it is delivered entirely online.
The course runs in early to mid 2027 and takes roughly six months. It begins with two group sessions of two hours each, covering the media landscape, the kinds of stories researchers can write, what makes a good story, language, structure and tone, how to avoid being misrepresented and how to pitch successfully. Each participant then writes a 250 to 350 word media pitch and receives individual feedback in a one-to-one online session. Twenty places are available, and only one place is offered per ACU member university.
To qualify you need to be a PhD candidate or already hold a PhD, and be an early career researcher or academic at an ACU member university. ACU counts someone as early career within seven years of the start of their research or teaching career, with career breaks, including time out to care for children, excluded from that count. The association has more than 400 member universities across over 40 countries, and 70 percent of its members sit in low and middle income countries.
Applications are open from 29 September 2026 and close on 24 November 2026 at 15:00 UTC. You apply through the ACU grants platform with a MyACU account, which is free to register, and the organisers ask that you read the FAQs and application guidance before you submit.
What you receive
- A free, tailor-made media training course delivered online by Universal Impact and The Conversation
- Two group sessions of two hours each covering pitching, story craft, language, tone and avoiding misrepresentation
- A one-to-one online feedback session on your own 250 to 350 word media pitch
- Direct engagement with professionals from The Conversation who publish academic writing
- A place in a cohort of twenty early career researchers from ACU member universities worldwide
Who can apply
- You are a PhD candidate or already hold a PhD
- You are an early career researcher or academic at an ACU member university, within seven years of starting your research or teaching career
- Career breaks, including time out for childcare, are excluded from the seven year count
- You can commit to the group sessions and the one-to-one sessions running over about six months in early to mid 2027
Who should not apply
- Researchers at universities that are not ACU members
- More than one successful applicant from the same ACU member university, since only one place per university is offered
How to apply
- Check that your university appears on the ACU member list before you start
- Read the ACU grants FAQs and the Writing for the Media application guidance on the ACU funding page
- Register for a free MyACU account if you do not have one, then log into the ACU grants platform
- Complete and submit the online application form before 24 November 2026 at 15:00 UTC
Selection process
- ACU assesses applications against the course criteria, including early career status and membership of an ACU university
- Twenty participants are selected, with only one place offered per member university
- Selected researchers join group sessions first, followed by their individual one-to-one feedback sessions
Sources and verification
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Questions applicants ask
How much does the training cost?
Nothing. The course, the group sessions and the one-to-one feedback are provided free to the twenty selected participants.
How many places are there?
Twenty places in total, and only one place will be offered per ACU member university.
When does the training happen?
In early to mid 2027. Two-hour group sessions come first, followed by one-to-one sessions over a period of approximately six months.
What do I submit at the end?
A 250 to 350 word media pitch, which you then discuss and improve in a one-to-one online feedback session.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
