UNIZA has been progressing with the application to obtain the “HR EXCELLENT IN RESEARCH” Award. Having finalised the GAP analysis and the Action Plan, a focus is now on processes. The Steering Committee responsible for the strategic regulation and monitoring of the whole process has been established, as well as a Working Group, responsible for the process implementation. UNIZA is now promoting its effort now among stakeholder groups (academic and non-academic staff, researchers at all career stages, etc.) as their engagement and involvement is crucial.