UK Research Partnership Investment Fund 2013-15: Invitation to bid

Heads of higher education institutions funded by the four UK HE funding bodies

Of interest to those responsible for:

Senior management, Research, Finance, Estates

This document sets out the arrangements for an additional allocation of research capital funding for higher education institutions for 2013 to 2015. It invites HEIs that have a significant track record of research excellence to submit bids on a competitive basis to apply for the capital grants.

Executive summary

Purpose

1. This document sets out the arrangements for an additional allocation of research capital funding for higher education institutions (HEIs) for 2013 to 2015. It invites HEIs that have a significant track record of research excellence to submit bids on a competitive basis to apply for the capital grants.

Key points

2. The Government has provided £300 million to support investment in higher education (HE) research facilities. £220 million has already been allocated, and this call for bids will enable us to allocate the remaining £80 million.

3. The UK Research Partnership Investment Fund is available to all UK HEIs. The objectives of the fund are to:

1. Enhance the research facilities of HEIs undertaking world-leading research.
2. Encourage strategic partnerships between HEIs and other organisations active in research.
3. Stimulate additional investment in HE research.
4. Strengthen the contribution of the research base to economic growth.

4. The fund will support large-scale projects that can attract substantial co-investment from private sources, building on the research excellence in the HE sector.

5. The panel is likely to favour bids which provide clarity on:

1. How the proposed facilities will strengthen future research, including developing research collaborations, and collaborations with users of research to support innovation and growth.
2. The benefit to the private partners from the project.
3. Co-investment in the first five years (as well as any over a longer period of time).
4. Public benefits for research and broader activities arising from the development.

Action required 

6. HEIs are invited to submit bids using the templates at Annexes A, B and C and e‑mail them to researchpartnership@hefce.ac.uk by noon on Monday 11 February 2013.

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