Eligibility

The ACP schemes are available to employees of the University of Cambridge only.  They do not apply to casual workers or to those employed or engaged by the University’s subsidiaries or the Colleges. 

Academic (R&T or T&S) or research employees can apply for promotion via ACP 10-12 on the relevant pathway, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria referred to below, unless an exclusion or exception applies (see below). Exceptionally, other employees may be eligible to apply (see the following pages). If there is any doubt as to your eligibility, the Chair of the Human Resources Committee will rule on the matter on behalf of the General Board.

In order to be eligible to apply for promotion via ACP 10-12, you must:

  • be employed on the academic pathway in which you wish to apply, i.e. R&T, T&S or R; and
  • have been employed in your current post* for at least 12 months as at 1 October of the calendar year in which you are applying.  Exceptionally, this period may be waived if you are considered ready for promotion by your Head of Institution.  In this situation, your Head of Institution must make a case clearly explaining the reasons for an exception to be made.  This must be submitted in writing to the Head of School for approval. Details of the case and the Head of School’s decision must be provided to the HR Reward Team (acp@admin.cam.ac.uk). This must be done before the end of the application window (see timetable). It is important to note that applicants on the R&T and T&S pathways are also normally expected to have one year’s worth of teaching evidence at Cambridge/its Colleges.  Applicants with less than one year’s worth of evidence may not be scored as highly in regard to teaching.

Important note: If you apply for promotion under one of the ACP schemes, you will not be able to apply for pay progression under the Contribution Reward Scheme (Academic and Research) in the same academic year.

When considering making an application you should seek appropriate mentoring and advice from your Head of Institution or appropriate senior academic colleague. You should discuss whether it is the right time to make an application and how you meet the Assessment Criteria.   

There are additional eligibility considerations for those on all pathways, which are explained below.

*This includes following promotion to a new office/post.