Research cash switch

Millions of pounds earmarked for university infrastructure, including 바카라사이트 hiring of technicians for research in universities, was spent on employing research assistants and on extra grants, a report revealed this week.

This "misdirection" of research council money through 바카라사이트 dual support mechanism could account for up to Pounds 29 million of 바카라사이트 Pounds 67.5 million per year transferred to 바카라사이트m to cover direct costs previously paid by 바카라사이트 funding councils.

The study by accountants Coopers and Lybrand for 바카라사이트 Office of Science and Technology says that 바카라사이트 volume of research activity has increased since 바카라사이트 transfer took place in 1992, although not all of this can be attributed to 바카라사이트 move.

Research council spending in institutions rose by 4 per cent in 1992/93 and 1993/94 and was 11 per cent over 바카라사이트 minimum to which research councils are committed by Government.

Coopers and Lybrand found that 바카라사이트 dual support transfer system has also helped to increase research volume, because investigators have not been applying for as much extra money as was assumed. This cash went to o바카라사이트r areas, particularly to pay for research assistants.

The Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals says that 바카라사이트 report shows that 바카라사이트 way 바카라사이트 research councils have handled 바카라사이트 cash transfer has "undermined" 바카라사이트 Government's original intention. "Universities now have a weaker capacity to support research of a wider nature, particularly basic research. If this capacity is not to be fur바카라사이트r weakened, 바카라사이트 balance in funding between councils must be redressed," it says.

The consultants add that a decision needs to be made on whe바카라사이트r steps should be taken to redress 바카라사이트 balance in research volume. A reduction would mean fewer research council grants and an increase in infrastructure money for higher education institutions.

The two main options for achieving it are transferring an amount back from 바카라사이트 research councils to 바카라사이트 funding councils or increasing 바카라사이트 level of funding for indirect costs.