Research Capability Fund
The Research Capability Fund ran from 2003 to 2009 to support research in emerging subject areas where the research base was not as strong as in more established subjects.
In total, £125.2 million was allocated through the fund. This supported the following emerging subjects:
- art and design
- communication, cultural and media studies
- dance, drama and performing arts
- nursing
- other studies and professions allied to medicine
- social work
- sports-related studies.
Following a review of progress in 2005, funding for the Research Capability Fund will was continued to 2009, at around £20 million per year. Further information on this decision is available in Circular letter 29/2005, published in November 2005. The report of the Research Capability Fund review was published in December 2005.
Background
In May 2003 we issued our circular letter "Research Capability Fund: request for strategies" (Circular letter 10/2003). This sets out the background to, and requirements for, the Research Capability Fund. It requests that higher education institutions that have an allocation submit strategies setting out how they will use the funds. Institutions were asked to update their strategies in 2006.
The two HEFCE publications referenced in annex A of Circular Letter 10/2003 are available:
- Research in nursing and allied professions: report of the Task Group 3 to HEFCE and the Department of Health (HEFCE 01/63)
- Improving standards in postgraduate research degree programmes: formal consultation (HEFCE 2003/23).
Expert panels
In deciding whether strategies were acceptable we took advice from two expert panels:
- arts-related subjects panel (art and design, communication, cultural and media studies, and dance, drama and performing arts)
- health, social work and sports studies panel.
Last updated 5 March 2009