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The University of Cambridge operates an annual Contribution Reward Scheme for Academic-Related and Assistant staff in grades 1 to 11. The information below and in the linked documents refers to the scheme with effect from 1 January 2025.

As part of the scheme, eligible employees may apply for either a contribution increment(s) or a single contribution payment in each annual exercise. These awards are described below.

  • Contribution Increments (for sustained/ongoing contribution): This is the award of up to three additional increments (in the normal pay range or in the contribution point range, i.e. the starred points) to recognise an individual's personal contribution over and above the normal expectation for the role, over a period of at least a year and in the context of expected continuation at that level.
  • Single Contribution Payments (for one-off/time limited contribution): This is the award of a one-off, non-pensionable payment to recognise exceptional contribution, over and above the normal expectation for the role, in the context of a one-off task or project that is time limited.  Awards can be made on an individual basis, paid at 3% of base salary, or on a team basis (where the one-off task/project is a result of the joint efforts and combined achievements of two or more individuals), paid at 2% of base salary.

Full details of this scheme can be found in the guidance document linked on the right-hand side of this page.   

Timeframes for 2025 scheme

Indicative Dates

Action

Early September 2024

HR Reward launch the 2025 Contribution Reward Scheme for Academic-Related and Assistant staff in grades 1 to 11.

HR Analytics distributes listings of staff eligible for the Contribution Reward Scheme via burst reports to nominated burst report recipients.

HR Reward distributes Management Information to Lead HR Business Partners, Awarding Authorities and institutions.

As soon as possible Awarding Authorities inform institutions that the scheme has been launched, and the deadline for submissions.
As soon as possible Institutions circulate details of the scheme to staff, confirming the deadline for proposals to be submitted
By deadline set by institution

Individuals submit cases by completing Section A of the PD30a form (for contribution increments) or the PD30b form (for single contribution payments).

Line Managers review applications and complete Section B of the forms, and submit them per the institutional instructions.

Early January 2025 Institutions complete Section C of the forms, and submit both supported and unsupported applications to the Awarding Authority.
Early February 2025

Awarding Authorities agree outcomes, confirm them to Heads of Institutions. Awarding Authorities then submit the summary of applications spreadsheet to HR Reward.

HR Reward will review the submissions, and raise any queries as appropriate

March 2025

Institutions write to staff with the outcome of their Contribution Reward Scheme applications.

Human Resources implements awards.