August 2003/38
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| To: | Heads of HEFCE-funded higher education institutions Heads of universities in Northern Ireland |
| Of interest to those responsible for: | Research strategy, Planning |
| Reference: | 2003/38 |
| Publication date: | August 2003 |
| Enquiries to: | Tom Sastry tel 0117 931 7458 e-mail Rfunding@hefce.ac.uk |
Executive summary (read on-line)
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Consultation
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Annex A - Template for responses
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Executive summary
Purpose
1. We are reviewing aspects of our method for allocating research funding. This document seeks the views of stakeholders on a number of proposed changes to the method.
Key points
2. We are developing proposals for changes to the research funding method in the context of:
- our policy and strategy for funding research, most recently articulated in the HEFCE strategic plan 2003-08 (HEFCE 2003/35)
- the evolution of government policy for research as set out in the White Paper 'The future of higher education', the policy statement 'Investing in innovation' and the recent Office of Science and Technology consultation paper, 'The sustainability of university research'
- the recommendations of Sir Gareth Roberts' 'Review of research assessment' (HEFCE 2003/22).
3. From 2004-05, we propose to:
- revise our approach to identifying and rewarding the best departments rated 5* in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE)
- continue to provide support for research in 4-rated departments at the same level as in 2003-04, to help institutions to improve and develop selectively the work of these departments
- provide additional capital funding to support leading research institutions in achieving their institutional goals
- support substantial research collaborations within the sector
- establish a Promising Researcher Fellowship Scheme to enable promising researchers in middle ranking departments to spend time working in leading research centres.
4. With effect from 2005-06 we plan to establish a single funding stream within the block grant to meet the costs of the training and supervision of research students.
5. We are also seeking views on a number of elements we expect to feature in a reformed funding model for use following the results of the next RAE. We propose to:
- simplify the minor volume measures used in determining quality-related (QR) research funding
- reconsider the basis on which we calculate the relative costs of different subjects.
6. We plan to undertake a further review of our funding for research, considering what additional changes may be needed after the next RAE, once the current consultations on research assessment are concluded and we have agreed the way forward with the other HE funding bodies.
Action required
7. We welcome all responses to the consultation, which should be returned by e-mail by Thursday 6 November 2003. Please use the electronic response form at Annex A of this document. (Annex A is reproduced for reference in the printed copy.)