On 26th June 2025 we officially launched the pilot of the Prosper Exchange - a framework for sustaining Prosper's impact through sharing practice.

Since our launch to the sector in September 2023, we've been working with HEIs across the UK and beyond to facilitate adoption of our model. Over 70 HEIs are now using Prosper in one form or another - ranging from Prosper cohorts through to adaption and promotion of our Portal resources.

Much of this collaboration has been reciprocal in nature. We've provided HEIs with portal tours, advice on running and recruiting cohorts, comms support, and Portal data. HEIs have, in turn, for example, lead PI Network sessions, given us information and testimonial about Prosper usage at their institution, and created new resources for our Portal.

The Prosper Exchange is a formalisation of this collaboration, as we approach the end of our UKRI-funded rollout phase and prepare to continue with a smaller team.

What is the Prosper Exchange?

An infographic illustrating the Prosper Exchange. Examples of what Prosper might provide: Data and reporting Consultancy Train-the-trainer Session facilitation e.g. Portal tours Examples of what HEI partners might provide: Case studies/testimonials Lead a PI Network session Share new sessions Information about Prosper usage Outcomes: Prosper and the Portal remain free to access and use A thriving community of practice Prosper Portal maintains impact and relevance Improved career development experience for postdocs Reciprocal actions plans will be agreed between Prosper and HEIs, arranged on a like-for-like basis and tailored to what HEIs need and can contribute.
Infographic illustrating the Prosper Exchange (click to enlarge)

The Prosper Exchange is our way of sustaining Prosper's impact, ensuring that our resources remain fresh and relevant, and cultivating a sector-wide community of practice built around sharing and reciprocation.

Prosper - and all the resources on our Portal - will remain completely free to access and use. Similarly, all HEIs are free to adopt our model and branding - we don't want to create any barriers to this.

What the Prosper Exchange means is that you can access enhanced support from Prosper, in return for an "in-kind" contribution from you.

Our focus is on creating fair, like-for-like exchange. What this looks like will evolve as we trial the process.

In order to engage with the Prosper Exchange, and request enhanced support, visit our Prosper Exchange page in our Institutions section. The blue button will take you to the form for making a request. Following a request, we'll have a meeting/call with you to discuss your needs, and agree upon a plan of reciprocation.

What kind of enhanced support can I get? What sort of things can I exchange?

Over the last couple of academic years, we’ve run a series of career development sessions for postdocs and PGRs all built around the use of Prosper resources.

I provided Prosper with anonymised evaluation data, as well as helped them put together a case study on our approach, which serves an example to other institutions.

In Exchange, prosper ran a portal tour session for our postdocs during National Postdoc Appreciation Week, which showcased the wide range of resources available on the Portal.

It’s been a great pleasure working with Prosper and this example of reciprocation shows just how easy the Prosper Exchange can be. The more we collaborate, the better. This framework keeps Prosper, free and open, and also helps sustain its impact across the sector.

Dr Gabriele Matilionyte, Researcher Development Consultant, Heriot-Watt University

The Prosper Exchange page contains a number of examples of exchange - both hypothetical and real, as well as an FAQ that we'll be adding to over time.

The below table gives some examples, and on the page you can find examples of real exchanges we've conducted with early adopter HEIs.

Prosper can offer:Example of what an institution might exchange for this:
Data and reporting - For example, Portal usage data within your institutionA  quote from you or a postdoc at your institution about Prosper.
Guidance on recruiting or running a   cohort - For example, consultancy ahead of setting up your cohort selection process. Engage an employer to deliver one of Prosper’s Employer Insight sessions.
Local Gap Analysis - For example, consultancy around the best ways you can adopt and tailor Prosper for your own institution.Adding resources, such as a session developed for postdocs at your institution, to the Prosper Portal.
Train-the-trainer - For example, the Prosper team prepare your facilitators with the basics of delivering a Prosper session.A  PI Network session and accompanying resource which can be uploaded to the   Portal.
Session facilitation - For example, the Prosper team deliver a Prosper Portal tour for your postdocs.A detailed case study about Prosper at your institution.

Reciprocation needn't involve a major commitment of time or resource on your part - in some cases it will be as simple as providing us with something you already have, such as information about a Prosper series you ran, or feedback/testimonial from postdocs.

It's also worth noting that this list is not exhaustive, nor are the examples of real reciprocation on the page.

We are very open to suggestions as we pilot the Exchange - so if you want something from Prosper that isn't listed, or have a different idea for what your HEI could contribute in return, get in touch and we can have a discussion.