Is there an appeals process?
There is a formal process for applicants seeking to appeal a panel decision. Applicants have 10 working days (from the date that the written feedback on their application was sent via email) in which to appeal. Any successful appeal will result in the original application being submitted for review by a newly constituted panel.
For further information on the process for appeals, including grounds for appeal, please see our Guide to Processes which can be found in our resource pack. Request a resource pack here.
Is there a way for an individual to challenge or object to an award?
Applicants are required to confirm their commitment to the charter principles to be eligible to apply for Advance HE’s equality charter awards. The application forms also require applicants to confirm that the information presented in an application (including qualitative and quantitative data) is an honest, accurate and true representation of the institution, department or unit.
Individuals are able to object to an award if, following the submission deadline:
- Information comes to light that the application contains false or misleading information or statements that are material to the applicant’s case for the award. This may include the deliberate omission of information.
- Subsequent to receipt of an application, information comes to light establishing that the applicant no longer satisfies the requirements of the award or has failed to adhere to or uphold the charter principles.
For more information on the process for objecting to an award, please see our Guide to Processes which can be found in our Resource Pack. Request a resource pack here.
What happens if an applicant is unsuccessful at renewing an award or applying for an award of a higher level?
If an award holder is unsuccessful achieving an award at the same level as their existing award they are offered a grace period. This grace period extends their previous award from the date in the results letter until the assessment round that falls one year after the results communication, or until the end date of their award validity (whichever is later). Applicants can submit a revised application at any time during this period and their previous award remains valid throughout the grace period and assessment of the revised application. Only one grace period is offered per award. If the applicant submits a revised application and is again unsuccessful, their award may be removed or lowered. If an extension has previously been made to the award validity for another reason, the grace period following an unsuccessful renewal may be shortened or unavailable.
Does a department/professional unit lose its award during an institution-level grace period?
Throughout the grace period following an unsuccessful renewal of an institution-level award, departments/professional units from that institution may continue to apply for awards. Any awards conferred during the institution’s grace period will remain valid for the standard validity period, regardless of the outcome of the institution’s application. Applicants should note that an institution-level award is an eligibility requirement for sub-unit submissions. If an institution no longer holds an award, no new sub-unit submissions can be accepted. If an institution-level application is unsuccessful, resulting in the institution-level award being removed, awards cannot be conferred to sub-units whose applications were submitted in the same assessment round. Any award-holding sub-units submitting in the same round as the unsuccessful institution-level application will be offered a grace period on their current award.
Example 1: An institution is unsuccessful at renewing their Bronze award during their grace period resulting in their current award being removed. A department applies in the same round for their first Bronze award and is found to meet the criteria. The Bronze departmental award cannot be conferred.
Example 2: An institution is unsuccessful at renewing their Bronze award during their grace period, resulting in their award being removed. A bronze award-holding department applies in the same round to upgrade to a silver award and is found to meet the criteria. A new silver award cannot be conferred, but the department is offered a grace period to their current bronze award.
Example 3: An institution is unsuccessful at renewing their Bronze award during their grace period, resulting in their award being removed. A Bronze award-holding department applies in the same round to renew their Bronze award and is found to not meet the criteria. They are offered a grace period to their current Bronze award.