The RCUK Review of Full Economic Costing (fEC), announced in May 2008, will survey
opinions from HEIs, Government departments, businesses and charitable organisations.
The decision was taken at the Review Panel’s first meeting on 25 June.
The survey, available online, will address the following questions:
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Has the introduction of full economic costing of research contributed to
the physical and financial sustainability of UK HEIs?
-
Has the introduction of full economic costing of research improved the human
and intellectual sustainability of UK HEIs?
-
Has the introduction of full economic costing of research caused changes
a) in the nature of grant applications to Research Councils and National Academies,
and b) in the model for internal allocation of grant-overheads received by HEIs?
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Is the implementation of fEC by Research Councils efficient and transparent?
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Has the introduction of fEC influenced work funded by, or undertaken for,
Government, the EU and Charities? What are the key issues arising from these
different funding sources and their funding policies and how does this relate
HEI sustainability?
-
Has the introduction of fEC influenced the pricing strategy of research undertaken
for business, and what are the implications for both HEIs and businesses?
The results of this survey will complement analysis of metrics from existing
HESA and Research Council datasets.
Professor Alan Alexander FRSE, the Chair of the Review, commented "The task of
my Review is to examine not only changes in the nature of Research Council grants
awarded but wider changes in the behaviour of funders, and the impact of fEC generally
on the physical and staff sustainability of HEIs. I hope that as many interested
parties as possible will complete the online survey and help us put forward recommendations
which ensure that sustainability of UK research institutions is adequately monitored
and protected".
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Contact
Technical queries to
Gerry Lawson
Tel: 01793 444417 or
Chris
Hale 020 7419 5490
Press queries to
Toni
Jo Henderson 01793- 444023
About the Review
In May 2008, RCUK announced a review to assess whether the change to full economic
costing (fEC) has put universities on track to deliver long-term financial sustainability
in research. Issues to be addressed include
-
the extent to which the policy objectives relating to sustainability of the
science base have been delivered by the introduction of funding based on fEC;
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how the additional funding resulting from both fEC and associated changes
have been utilised by universities;
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The operation of fEC arrangements in HEIs, Research Councils and other funders;
-
the impact of fEC on interactions with key stakeholders, notably, industry,
government departments and charities.
About the Review Panel
- Professor Alan Alexander FRSE
- Norman Bennett, Finance Director, Queens University Belfast
- Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Chief Executive, Medical Research Council
- Ian Cooper, Director of Operations, Royal Society
- Dr Steve Egan, Deputy Chief Executive, HEFCE
- Dr Mike Lant, Manager External Partnerships, Syngenta (representing ICARG)
- Professor Anton Muscatelli, Vice Chancellor, Herriot Watt University
- John Neilson, Director Science & Research Group, DIUS
- Nicola Perrin, Policy Advisor, Wellcome Trust
- Professor Nigel Thrift, Vice Chancellor, Warwick University
- Stuart Ward, Director Corporate Services, EPSRC
About the Support Group
The FEC Support Group comprises representatives of the Higher Education Funding
Council of England, the Higher Education Funding Council of Wales, the Scottish
Funding Council, the Department for Innovation Universities and Skills, the Research
Councils, Universities UK and Cancer Research UK.
About the Review Timetable
- First Review Panel meeting 25 June
- Second Panel Meeting - early October
- Third Panel meeting - week beginning 8 December
- Completion of Report 31 December 2008
About RCUK
The seven Research Councils are independent non-departmental public bodies, funded
by the Science Budget through the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills
(DIUS). They are incorporated by Royal Charter and together manage a research budget
of over £3 billion a year. Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the partnership between
the UK's seven Research Councils. Through RCUK, the Research Councils work together
to champion the research, training and innovation they support.
The seven UK Research Councils are:
- Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
- Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
- Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
- Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
- Medical Research Council (MRC);
- Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
- Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).
About Universities UK
Universities UK is the essential voice of all the UK universities. It promotes
and supports their work and provides services to members, the executive heads. Its
mission is delivered by:
- Influencing stakeholders
- Providing informed policy analysis
- Co-ordinating sector agencies
- Providing member exclusive services
- Enhancing our own operational efficiency and effectiveness