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HEFCE Review of Research Policy and Funding

The purposes and nature of HEFCE research funding, taking into account the role of other funders.

To consider the purpose of HEFCE funding, to review its role in securing the benefits of having a range of funding types, and to consider how it can most effectively complement, rather than duplicate, the aims of other funding agents.

In considering these issues the group will wish to address the following questions:

What is the rationale for public funding of research?

  • What is the objective of funding research from the public purse?

  • Does publicly-funded research have to have an objective or tangible potential benefit or can it be considered an end in itself?

  • How much blue-skies research should be supported by public funding?

How well is the research base performing?

  • Is publicly funded research meeting the needs of users?

  • How does the performance of the research base compare with that in other countries?

  • How does the performance of the HE research base compare with the private sector?

  • How has the output of the research base varied as funding sources and levels have changed?

Is the nature of research changing and, if so, to what extent is this responding to, or facilitated by, current approaches to research funding?

  • Is the nature of research changing, as a result of growth in applied research for example?

  • Are the growth in charitable funding, increasing levels of investment in HE research by the private sector and global research resourcing significantly changing the funding environment?

  • Are changes in activity and funding complementary?

  • Are changes in the nature and role of HEFCE research funding required to better support interdisciplinary and collaborative research?

How can complementary funding approaches by stakeholders maximise the value achieved from the research base?

  • How can the international competitiveness of the research base be maintained, whilst ensuring that institutions respond to the needs of the users of research, and particularly to industry?

  • Is it necessary to maintain competency and awareness in a wide range of fields? If so, whose responsibility is it and how is it best achieved?

  • How can the right balance between project and infrastructure funding be determined and most appropriately funded?

  • How can the high quality infrastructure required to do internationally competitive science be safeguarded?

Should HEFCE funding be used to explicitly support strategic needs?

  • Should FC money explicitly reflect the objectives of Government initiatives such as Foresight?

  • Should HEFCE research policy and funding particularly encourage work with SMEs or companies in the new economy?

  • Should HEFCE be active or reactive in defining and promoting strategies?

What funding method is most appropriate given the purpose and nature of HEFCE funding?

Content: Andrew Fisher
Last updated 07 April 2000