Update to the RCUK Research and Training Grant Terms and Conditions

31/07/2017

The Research Councils have been reviewing funding assurance arrangements to ensure they continue to meet best practice in the stewardship of public funds.

The review concluded that current terms and conditions need strengthening to better describe the responsibilities and accountability of Research Offices in receiving, managing and spending public funds.

The aims of the changes are to clearly communicate and strengthen the need for robust control arrangements within individual Research Organisations.

Following discussions with the Research Organisation Consultation Group and having sought legal advice as well as undertaken an Equality and Inclusion Impact Assessment, the amendments/additions are summarised as follows:

Clarifying responsibility for cascading T&Cs to third parties including due diligence checks and monitoring of compliance.
Reinforcing accountability for use of public funds and proper financial management.
Implication of State Aid laws.
Clarification of expected retention times for research/training grant documentation.
Guidance on ensuring value for money.
Expanding the “Inspection” section to cover “Disclosure” to clarify research council requirements and expectations in this area.
The ability for Research Councils to impose “additional measures” where non-compliance of T&Cs is identified.

The current updated Grant Terms and Conditions will be implemented on 1^st August and are available here.

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Further information

Contact:
RCUK Communications Team
Tel: 01793 444067 or email: communications@rcuk.ac.uk