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14/12/2017
The Research Councils have reviewed the current grant terms and conditions and are making changes to include additional information on up and coming legislative changes and additional clarity on the guidance provided these changes will start on Monday 15 January 2018.
The aims of the changes are to clearly communicate and clarify the responsibilities which are part of holding a Research Council Grant.
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:
Modern Slavery Act 2015The Research Councils are committed to the principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, as part of this commitment we are including a condition setting out responsibility for compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015. This sets out the expectations that Research Organisations are compliant with the Modern Slavery Act of 2015 and will take steps to ensure its operations and supply chains are trafficking- and slavery-free.
General Data Protection Regulation
The Research Councils are committed to making changes to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (which will replace the current UK Data Protection Act 1998 in May 2018). These changes confirm that that all personal data collected by a Council during the application for or funding of a Grant will be handled in line with the principles of the Regulation. It also notes that the Research Organisation will be expected, when providing third party data to a Council, to hold themselves to these standards and be able to provide assurance on this if required.
Transfer of Grant assets to UK Research and Innovation
UK Research and Innovation was a proposal of the Part 3 of the Higher Education and Research Bill, which received Royal Assent on 27 April 2017. The Bill is now an Act of Parliament, and UK Research and Innovation will be created in April 2018. The Research Councils Grant terms and conditions will now contain a condition to allow transfer of Grant assets to UK Research and Innovation. This change is to highlight to Research Organisation that the property, rights and liabilities of the awarding Research Council will transfer to UK Research and Innovation.
Adding NHS Clinical sessions
The Research Grants Terms and Conditions staff sections will now include “NHS Clinical sessions” to the list of approved tasks that may be carried out during a grant.
Clarity on the Training Grants of Terms and Conditions
Payment of a studentship can continue for absences covered by a medical certificate for up to thirteen weeks within any 12-month period. If the illness lasts for more than thirteen weeks, the Research Organisation should make arrangements to suspend the studentship.
Further information: Grant holders and Higher Education Institutions should contact RFODTeam@rcuk.ac.uk if they have any questions regarding these changes.
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Contact:
RCUK Communications Team
Tel: 01793 444067 or email: communications@rcuk.ac.uk