 
December 2003/58
|
| To: | Heads of HEFCE-funded higher education institutions |
| Of interest to those responsible for: | Relations between HE and business and the wider community; Contract and collaborative research; Continuing vocational education; Strategic planning |
| Reference: | 2003/58 |
| Publication date: | December 2003 |
| Enquiries to: |
Tony Jacobs Adrian Hill Or HEFCE regional consultants, listed at Annex D |
Executive summary (read on-line)
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Report plus Annexes A, C and D
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Annex B Cover sheet for applications
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Executive summary
Purpose
1. This document invites HEFCE-funded higher education institutions (HEIs) to apply for funds to support activities that will increase their capability to respond to the needs of business (including companies of all sizes and sectors and a range of bodies within the wider community), where this will lead to identifiable economic benefits.
Key points
2. This is the second round of funding for the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF 2). It is being consolidated as a permanent third stream of funding for HEIs, with investment rising to a total of £187 million over the period 2004-06. This figure includes £16 million to fund a network of around 20 centres for knowledge exchange activity. These centres will be funded to a maximum of £500,000 per annum over the two years. It is expected that funding for the centres will then continue for a further three years.
3. The maximum award to any HEI for a single non-collaborative bid will be £2.4 million. HEIs who participate in collaborative bids and/or centres for knowledge exchange activity will be eligible to receive a maximum aggregate award of £3.25 million. Awards in the region of £500,000 will be available for smaller bids. We do not expect to make awards below £200,000.
4. Guidance notes for applicants are given in Annex A. All applications should include a simple risk assessment.
5. English HEIs, and other interested parties, were consulted on the fund in HEFCE 2003/34; a summary of responses is in Annex C.
Action required
6. Applications for funding should be sent to Tony Jacobs at HEFCE, to arrive by 1700 Wednesday 25 February 2004.