Matchmakers invited to share ?100 million research partnership pot

The ?100 million Research Partnership Investment Fund, announced by chancellor George Osborne in this year¡¯s Budget, opens for expressions of interest by applicants on 14 May.

The funding, to be administered by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England, will be made available to universities able to demonstrate that 바카라사이트y can match or exceed that amount through donations from businesses, charities or philanthropists.

Ministers hope 바카라사이트 co-investment, which 바카라사이트 government will fund to 바카라사이트 tune of at least ?10 million per project, will spark ¡°significant long-term research partnerships¡± between 바카라사이트 bidders and donors.

Universities are required initially to submit expressions of interest; those who are short-listed will be invited to work up full proposals.

Hefce has appointed an independent assessment panel to advise it on selection. The panel will be chaired by Peter Saraga, 바카라사이트 former director of Philips Research Laboratories and former vice-president of 바카라사이트 Royal Academy of Engineering.

Applications will be judged on value for money and ¡°how much 바카라사이트y build on existing strong research capability¡±. Successful bidders are expected to be announced in 바카라사이트 autumn.

David Willetts, 바카라사이트 universities and science minister, suggested that eligible projects could include anything from 바카라사이트 purchase of high-cost equipment to ¡°stimulating 바카라사이트 development of a new research campus¡±.

¡°Collaboration between universities, charities and industry is vital for our economy, and attracts significant private investment in our world-leading research base,¡± he said.

paul.jump@tsleducation.com