Rewarding Excellence pay scheme

1. Eligibility

1.1 All staff in grades 1 to 8 (or equivalent) who have been employed by the University since at least 1 January 2025 and have not achieved a similar award within the last two years are eligible to be nominated. Staff who have been nominated within the last two years but have not been successful are eligible for further nomination.

1.2 The scheme is open to staff who have changed roles within the University, but can demonstrate the same outstanding levels of skill or achievement in each role.

1.3 Staff who have been successful in either Academic Promotion or Role Review within the last 12 months are not eligible for a Rewarding Excellence award.

1.4 Staff are eligible to apply whether their contribution has been made individually or as a member of a team.

2. Process for submitting nominations

Nominations can be made by line managers, Heads of Department (HoDs)/ Heads of Professional Services Directorate or by employees themselves. In all cases we ask the HoD / PS Director to confirm that:

• the nominee has been employed by the University since at least 1 January 2025
• the nominee has been fulfilling the requirements of their role to an exceptional standard for a sustained period of time (eg over a minimum 12 month period)
• the nominee has delivered over and above the expectations of their role for a sustained period of time (eg over a minimum 12 month period)
• the information in the nomination form is factually accurate.

Nominations should be submitted by 1pm on Tuesday 24 November 2026, with support from HoDs / Head of Professional Services Directorates by 12 Noon on Friday 18 December 2026. Hard copies are not required. They will then be checked for eligibility, consolidated and put forward for panel evaluation.

Nominations should consist of an online nomination form and an up to date job description. No other evidence will be accepted.

3. Review and approval of Rewarding Excellence nominations

Recommendations will be facilitated by the Dean and Heads of Department within each Faculty (eg within Arts and Humanities, Sciences and Social Sciences) or by the Heads of Professional Services for nominated staff in support directorates.

4. Timetable

Activity	Date
Communication to all Heads of Departments / Heads of Professional Services Directorate and staff	August 2026
Nominations accepted from	Tuesday 22 September 2026
Deadline for submitting nominations	1pm on 24 November 2026
Deadline for HoD / HoP support	Noon on 18 December 2026
Decision making	January / February 2027
Communication of outcomes	February 2027
Implementation of additional increments	March 2027 (back dated to January 2027)

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Document control: Last updated on 18 August 2026.