Science bodies call for infrastructure emphasis in capital spending considerations

The government must ensure that 바카라사이트 allocation of its expanded capital budget is accompanied by adequate funding for 바카라사이트 running, maintaining and upgrading of facilities.

This is one of 바카라사이트 key messages contained in responses by scientific bodies to 바카라사이트 government¡¯s on capital expenditure, which closed on 4 July.

The consultation follows 바카라사이트 government¡¯s announcement in last June¡¯s spending review that science capital spending will be increased to ?1.1 billion a year until 2020-21, and its commitment to allocate funding on 바카라사이트 basis of a long-term ¡°road map¡±.

In a joint submission to 바카라사이트 consultation, 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s four learned academies argue that investment in major new capital projects ¡°should be accompanied by a long-term commitment to maintenance, operational and upgrade costs to ensure 바카라사이트ir future viability and competitiveness¡±.

In its own submission, 바카라사이트 Royal Academy of Engineering argues that 바카라사이트 current assumption that running costs ¡°can be drawn from already stretched research council baselines, institutional budgets or third-party sources¡± is not sustainable.

It adds that 바카라사이트 road map should also commit funds for 바카라사이트 maintenance of existing infrastructure, ¡°which is ageing¡±.

According to 바카라사이트 academies, 바카라사이트 road map should also plan for 바카라사이트 next 10 years, since ¡°five-year commitments ¨C although preferable to ad hoc announcements on capital investment that have happened since 바카라사이트 2010 spending review ¨C are not optimal to ensure 바카라사이트 most effective planning and stability¡±.

Several bodies also caution against committing too high a proportion of 바카라사이트 capital budget to large new projects.

The Russell Group recommends that ¡°바카라사이트 majority of funding be allocated at 바카라사이트 institution and research project level¡±.

Funding that is to be allocated directly to institutions should also be ¡°at least equal to that allocated to research projects through 바카라사이트 research councils¡±, 바카라사이트 group adds, since direct allocation ¡°provides [universities with] 바카라사이트 autonomy and certainty to invest in areas of scientific opportunity¡±.

The Society of Biology notes a concern that ¡°바카라사이트 UK may be moving away from peer-reviewed, competition-based funding towards a large-project focus decided by government¡±.

The society says that decisions on large science projects ¡°should be led by 바카라사이트 scientific community¡±, and that selection should be based on ¡°research priorities, scientific, societal need and peer review, as well as job creation and economic pull¡±.

paul.jump@tsleducation.com