This guidance is intended for prospective applicants to the Elevate programme.

Before applying

1. Read the programme description carefully to ensure the content fits your development needs.
2. Check you meet the criteria for the programme.
3. Speak to your line manager to get their support for the programme. They will need to provide an endorsement as part of your application, and will actively participate by attending two bespoke supporting workshops. Further details are available for your line manager on the webpage Elevate applications: support for Line Managers.
4. Check you are available for all programme dates.
5. The programme team will run Information Sessions on 21 and 25 September 2023 to answer any questions not answered on these pages. These will be bookable in Develop from 6 September 2023. 
6. Read through the programme Terms and Conditions carefully.

Completing the application form

Your form

1. The form will be available for you to access from 19 September 2023. To receive the link to the online application form, ‘enrol’ onto the Elevate 2024: application form in Develop. The link will take you to the application form in ‘Bristol Online Surveys’ (BOS).
2. Complete ALL sections on the application form as incomplete forms will not be accepted.
3. The questions you are asked on the form are:
   1. What attracted you to this programme and what do you hope it will offer you personally, professionally, and in terms of your career aims? (up to 250 words)
   2. Please give an example of a time (at work or outside) where you have led or influenced others. What did you learn about yourself from this experience? (up to 250 words)
4. Complete and submit your application form by Monday 16 October 2023, 23:59. After submitting the application, you have the opportunity to download your responses.
5. Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee a place on the programme.

Your Line Manager’s form

1. You will need to email the link to the Line Manager Endorsement Form to your line manager. You will find the link to this in the Elevate 2024: application form in Develop.
2. We recommend that you advise your Line Manager to view the webpage Elevate applications: support for Line Managerswhich has details about the programme and the application process.
3. Your line manager will need to complete the Endorsement Form and submit it before the deadline on Monday 16 October 2023, 23:59. They should inform you once this has been completed.

Selection process

1. Completed applications are anonymised and reviewed by the Selection Panel.
2. The final selection ensures a mixed cohort with a balance of participants across each of the participating universities. There will be 30 places: approximately 5 from each University.
3. Applicants and line managers will be notified of outcomes by the end of November.

Terms & Conditions

By applying, you are agreeing to these terms and conditions.

Programme fees

Each participant's Faculty/Division will be charged a participatory programme fee of £1,200 to cover costs.

Normally, the programme fee will come out of a staff development budget within your faculty / school / division / department. Speak to your line manager, if unsure.

If you have any difficulties or any questions, please contact us sd-leadership@bristol.ac.uk.

Attendance

• Programme dates are published in advance on the programme webpage.
• Participants are expected to attend all sessions of the whole programme.
• All applicants must ensure they hold all the programme dates in their calendars.

We understand that there may be unforeseen circumstances whereby a participant is unable to attend a programme date. If this is the case, please notify the team as soon as possible via sd-leadership@bristol.ac.uk.

Time commitment

As a guide, the overall time commitment to engage effectively with the programme averages approximately 1.5 days per month (including scheduled and unscheduled activities).

Programme preparation

• You will be invited to an informal introductory 1:1 with one of the programme facilitators before the start of the programme.  You will also receive a programme handbook with further information about the facilitation team and the various different elements of the programme, to help you to prepare.

If you are unsure which programme to apply for

• Read the programme webpages carefully
• Speak to others who have participated in the programme
• Attend one of the Information Sessions, scheduled on 21 and 25 September 2023. These will be bookable from 6 September in Develop

If you are considering applying for one of the other leadership programmes, such as the Female Leadership Initiative (FLi), you can indicate an alternative programme on the Elevate application form that you would like to be considered for if your Elevate application is unsuccessful.

Cancellations

If you need to withdraw from the programme, please get in touch with us as soon as possible. We reserve the right to charge up to the full cost of the programme to your Faculty/Division if you withdraw and your place can’t be reallocated.