HEFCE press release
22 April 1998
Arts and Humanities Research Board to be set up
An interim Arts and Humanities Research Board (AHRB) is to be established pending a decision by Government on whether to set up an Arts and Humanities Research Council.
The Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Department of Education for Northern Ireland have agreed to provide funds for the Board, in concert with the British Academy. The new Board will build on the work of the Academy's Humanities Research Board, and will allocate research grants as well as postgraduate awards.
The National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education in its report last year recommended the establishment of an Arts and Humanities Research Council. Although the Government has not made a decision on this, the Department for Education and Employment has asked the Council to have particular regard to the needs of the arts and humanities in providing research funding.
The HEFCE has agreed to provide £8 million to the new Board for this purpose in 1998-99 and £15.5 million in 1999-2000. In addition, the Board will assume responsibility for the £9 million a year in special funding for museums and galleries, making a total of £17 million in HEFCE funding in 1998-99 and £24.5 million in 1999-2000.
The HEFCE will continue discussions with the British Academy, the DfEE and a range of representative bodies about the funding, staffing and organisation of the AHRB and its location. Other potential funders of research in the arts and humanities will be approached to provide partnership funding.
Professor Brian Fender, Chief Executive of the HEFCE, said: 'I am delighted that this project has received such widespread support. We see this as a significant step towards setting up a Research Council, and putting support for research in the arts and humanities on a similar footing to other disciplines.'
ENDS
For further information please contact Roger Grinyer or David Pilsbury on 0117 931 7317.
Notes to editors
1. The new arrangements will cover England and Northern Ireland. Arrangements for arts and humanities research funding in Scotland and Wales will be considered in the context of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review, and revised Government guidance to the funding councils.
HEFCE 4/98
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