Here’s a breaking opportunity for you to receive grant support for your innovative HR initiatives!
The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) is now accepting applications for the 2025 Human Resources in Higher Education (HR in HE) Community Grants. These grants are designed to empower HR practitioners by funding projects that promote collaboration, innovation, and the sharing of good practices in HR management within the higher education space.
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With the evolving nature of work, the ACU believes it’s crucial to support university HR professionals in adapting to emerging challenges and driving institutional progress through effective HR strategies.
If you are passionate about improving workforce planning, inclusion, mental health, recruitment, or policy development, this is your chance to shine and bring your project to life.
Use of the grant can include (but is not limited to):
- Conducting research projects related to HR in higher education
- Attending conferences to gain and share knowledge within the HR community
- Designing and delivering training programs for university HR teams
- Co-creating HR strategies or policies, especially around inclusion, recruitment, and mental health
- Benchmarking and exchanging best HR practices across Commonwealth institutions
- Hosting webinars or virtual knowledge-sharing events on emerging HR challenges
- Strengthening inter-institutional collaboration through joint HR development projects
Whether your project is online or in-person, large or small — this grant can be tailored to your vision.
Name of Organizer
Commonwealth | Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)

Requirements/ Eligibility criteria
To be considered for this highly regarded grant, applicants must meet the following criteria:
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- Be a staff member working in the area of Human Resources at an ACU member university.
- While collaboration with other ACU universities is encouraged (to build stronger Commonwealth partnerships), it is not mandatory.
- Institutions willing to match or contribute additional funds towards the proposed initiative will be viewed favorably, though it is not required.
Pro Tip: Including a collaborative or co-funded component can give your application a competitive edge!
Grant Price
A total budget of £10,000 has been allocated for the 2025 HR in HE Community Grants. This amount will be distributed across several smaller or larger grants, depending on the scope of proposed activities.
Applicants are required to request the amount needed for their specific initiative — whether large-scale or small-scale — as part of the application process.
Deadline
Application Deadline: 4th November, 2025
This is your final chance to apply. With a growing interest in institutional HR development and limited funds available, the competition is expected to be intense.
Why Should You Apply?
Here are 6 compelling reasons to take advantage of this time-sensitive grant:
- Support for your HR initiatives without needing to rely solely on internal funds.
- Engage with HR professionals globally and share insights across the Commonwealth.
- Professional development – attend conferences or deliver your own training.
- Promote mental health, inclusion, and equity through your HR projects.
- Build long-term partnerships with like-minded institutions.
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