The UK process incorporates both the QAA Code of Practice for Research Degree Programmes and the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers to enable institutions that have published Concordat implementation plans to gain the 'HR excellence in research' badge. The UK approach includes ongoing national evaluation and benchmarking.

The University of Reading has been recognised by the European Commission for its work in improving working conditions and career development opportunities for Research Staff. Reading was one of the first ten UK universities to receive the HR Excellence in Research award for adopting The European Charter for Researchers. As part of the process, the University had to demonstrate that it had undertaken an internal analysis to compare institutional practices against various principles and had developed an action plan based on the results. The announcement was made by Professor Sir Ivor Crewe, Chair of the Concordat Strategy Group, at the 2010 Vitae researcher development conference. This is a UK-wide process that enables UK HEIs to gain the European Commission's HR Excellence in Research award. The award is ratified every two years. The principles are documented in the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, which was updated in 2019. The University signed up to the new Concordat in October 2019 and continues to hold the HR Excellence in Research award.