Human Resources Mission, Vision, and Strategic Goals For You

How it Works

Bravo is an after-the-fact discretionary award program that lets employees know that someone has noticed their noteworthy contribution. At the same time, it reinforces the values and behaviors that are important to the University. Each unit will have the flexibility to allow for recognition in ways that are meaningful, fair, and clearly distinguish levels of performance within the specific work unit. 

As a general guideline, Bravo Awards will be awarded for extraordinary performance which produces a measurable outcome. The process used by each unit should ensure consistency in the selection process and in the application of the selection criteria within the unit.

All employees who have completed 3 months of service are eligible except for the following classifications: Executive Officers; Student employees; Graduate staff; Temporary staff; Visiting faculty; Limited term lecturers; Postdoctoral, Resident, or Intern appointments; and employees who have a specific employment contract with the University that links additional compensation to their performance.  Eligible employees are limited to four Bravo awards per fiscal year.

Each unit determines their nomination process for their area and will communicate the nomination process to their employees.

Award criteria has been separated into four categories:

  • Moving the University Forward: Accomplishments or contributions that transform or advance University objectives (i.e., initiatives that improve graduation rates, development of programs to measure student academic knowledge, enhancing the academic excellence of the University, improving student affordability, etc.).
  • Operational Excellence: Extraordinary effort during times of critical department need (e.g., contribution that clearly and significantly exceeds standard job requirements and impacts the accomplishments of important and critical business operational goals and deliverables or extraordinary performance that far exceeds expected or required performance. Managers must be able to document specific achievements and/or measurable contributions to the unit’s business based upon the employee’s exceptional performance.).
  • Innovation/Creativity: Innovative work or suggestions, well beyond standard job requirements, that significantly improve operational efficiencies, introduce a new or modified business practice or improve work process, workflow or customer service.
  • Fiscal Stewardship: Significant cost saving or cost avoidance realized beyond normally expected or established standards.

You may nominate and pay for awards to employees outside your unit. You must however, gain support for the Bravo award by employing unit's head or director.

Bravo Award amounts can be given up to $2,000 – Deans and VPs may approve higher amounts under exceptional circumstances with HR and/or President support. A faculty/staff member may not be rewarded twice for the same achievement. Individual faculty and staff are limited to four (4) Bravo Awards per fiscal year.
The Bravo Award is supported by college/unit operating funds. Each unit can provide Bravo Awards up to a maximum funding limits. The maximum dollar amount that can be awarded by a unit over the fiscal year will be based upon the number of full-time equivalent employees. The funding limit calculation is total CUL times 7.5% multiplied by the maximum award amount ($2,000). The source of headcount data will be active CUL effective as of July 1 of each year.

Bravo Awards will be processed with the regular payroll.

The awarded amount will be added to your regular compensation amount on your pay stub. Bravo Awards are subject to applicable tax withholdings and W-2 reporting. Your net pay will reflect your regular compensation plus the additional Bravo compensation less applicable taxes.

A faculty/staff member may not be rewarded twice for the same achievement. Individual faculty and staff are limited to four (4) Bravo Awards per fiscal year.

Please contact bravo@purdue.edu with additional questions.