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The Association of Commonwealth Universities | ACU
HR in HE Community Grants

Supporting university HR staff by encouraging collaboration and sharing of good practice.

Applications are now closed for 2023/2024. 


The Human Resources in Higher Education (HR in HE) Community Grants support university Human Resource practitioners in the ever-changing world of work by encouraging collaboration and promoting the sharing of good practice. 

The grants are available to help meet the costs of organising projects that promote the essential work of HR and the aims of the HR in HE Community. 

The grants can be used to support a diverse range of virtual or in-person projects, workshops, or events, such as: 

  • Attending HR-related conferences and sharing learnings.  
  • Creating and delivering relevant training and development for HR practitioners.
  • Co-creating approaches/policies on HR issues, such as workforce planning, inclusion, mental health, international recruitment.
  • Co-creating HR processes.
  • Delivering webinars on pressing issues for HR practitioners.
  • Benchmarking of good HR practice across the Commonwealth.
  • Research projects.

Any outputs developed through the grants should be shared with the HR in HE Community, in order to increase impact. 

What does the grant include? 

  • A total budget of GBP 10,000 is available for this grant scheme. This can be allocated as a number of smaller or larger grants.
  • Please request the amount needed for your initiative/activity.

How to apply? 

  • Be a staff member at an ACU member university working in the area of human resources.
  • Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with other ACU member universities to promote further Commonwealth partnerships, but this is not essential.
  • Institutions who might be willing to match or provide additional funds will be looked upon favourably, but this is not essential.
  • Review the Application Guidance
  • Submit an application through the online application form.
    • If you already have a MyACU account, you can access the grant application form here.
    • If you do not already have a MyACU account, please ensure that you first register for an account here and then follow the instructions in the registration email to log in to the system before accessing the application form. 
Join the HR in HE Community

The HR in HE Community is a forum for all staff working in HR, from the most experienced professionals to those looking to increase, expand or develop their institution’s HR function.

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