Background:
The purpose of the Collaborative Award for teaching Excellence (CATE) scheme is to recognise and reward collaborative work that has had a demonstrable impact on teaching and learning. Introduced in 2016 the scheme highlights the key role that teamwork plays in higher education. Each award will recognise a team that has enabled a change in practice for colleagues and/or students at an institutional or discipline level. A core team should comprise between 3 and 15 key members. Institutions can nominate one team a year that can demonstrate having an impact through their collaborative work on teaching and learning.

The scheme is organised and run by Advance HE. Institutions can nominate one team per annum, with up to 15 teams being selected for award in 2025.  

We particularly welcomed expressions of interest from groups which include individuals who have been previously under-represented in the CATEs, including: ethnic minority BAME groups; the wide range of staff that support learning; and part-time, fractional, sessional or hourly paid staff.  

The one successful team nominee will be provided with support and mentoring to develop their application. Successful team nominees are advised that the drafting processes may take approximately 5 days. Teams are advised to discuss the scheme with their manager before submitting an Expression of Interest.  The deadline for submitting finished applications is March 2025, with results announced August 2025.    

Criteria:  

Teams must be able to evidence that they can meet the following criteria:  

1. Evidence of excellence in terms of the team's approach to working collaboratively, commensurate with the team's context and the opportunities afforded by it.
2. Evidence of the team having a demonstrable impact on teaching and learning, including beyond their immediate academic or professional area.

Evidence in support of the application should demonstrate reach, value and impact. Interested staff were required to submit an initial expression of interest form.

Timeline:  
Expressions of interest for 2025 are now closed. Further details about the 2026 scheme will be published in Summer 2025.

For more information about the CATE scheme please see the Advance HE website or internally please contact bilt-info@bristol.ac.uk