New approach to renewing awards

Athena Swan award holders are now able to reapply for their award using a process which focuses on progress made against their initial action plans and their future priorities. The renewal process is designed for use by Athena Swan award-holding departments and institutions that wish to renew their award at the same level. Applicants wishing to apply for a higher level award should use the standard application process. To discuss what award level may be appropriate for an application, please contact your ED&I Officer.

You can find more information, including an information pack and a renewals application form, on the Transformed UK Athena Swan Charter page.

You can also watch a recording of a webinar that provides advice and guidance on Advance HE’s new renewal process for Athena Swan awards [recorded 9 March 2020].

The renewals process provides applicants with a framework to:

• evaluate the progress made against the action plan
• evidence learning from that evaluation and the applicant’s ongoing self-assessment
• identify appropriate key priorities for future work
• produce a new action plan for the next four years

This streamlined process is designed to complement the standard process. Once an award-holder has successfully renewed their award using the renewal process, they are required to use the standard application process at the point of their next submission (even if applying for an award at the same level).