The HR in HE Community Grants support university human resource practitioners by encouraging collaboration and promoting the sharing of good practice across the Commonwealth.

Overview

The Human Resources in Higher Education (HR in HE) Community Grants are offered by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) to help meet the costs of organising projects that promote the essential work of HR and the aims of the ACU HR in HE Community. The grants support a diverse range of virtual or in-person projects, workshops, or events.

Funding and Benefits

A total budget of GBP 10,000 is available for this grant scheme. This amount may be allocated as a number of smaller or larger grants. Applicants may request the amount needed for their proposed initiative or activity.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be a staff member at an ACU member university working in the area of human resources.
• Collaboration with other ACU member universities is encouraged to promote further Commonwealth partnerships, but is not essential.
• Institutions that are willing to match or provide additional funds will be looked upon favourably, but this is not essential.

Activities

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

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

Application Process

• Applicants should review the application guidance and FAQs before applying.
• Submit an application through the online application form.
• Applicants who already have a MyACU account can access the grant application form on the platform when applications open.
• Applicants who do not already have a MyACU account should first register for an account and follow the instructions in the registration email to log in before accessing the application form.
• Proposed initiatives should take place between July 2027 and July 2028 to be funded.

Deadline and Timeline

Applications open: 17 February 2027

Applications close: 14 April 2027, 15:00 UTC