HEFCE recurrent grant for 2009/10

05 March 2009

Responding to the publication of the HEFCE recurrent grants for universities and colleges for 2009-10, Director General of the Russell Group, Dr Wendy Piatt, said:

“The 2008 RAE results demonstrated the great strength of research and innovation across a broad range of disciplines at Russell Group universities. Today’s announcement shows that Russell Group universities remain the UK’s leading research universities, including  the top 15 institutions in England based on HEFCE quality related research funding. Our institutions will continue to drive the UK’s reputation for high-quality research and continue to bring considerable economic and social benefits to the UK.

“Now, more than ever, our research-intensive universities have a crucial role to play in helping the UK survive the economic downturn and stimulate a recovery, and it is vital that they are given the right conditions to continue to flourish. World-class universities, with their heavy concentration of brainpower, established excellence, and the sheer numbers and facilities to achieve global impact, are best placed to attract investment and drive innovation with leading global companies.

“However our universities continue to be subject to some extremely difficult economic conditions with income streams under threat, costs increasing and international competition escalating, particularly as our competitors continue to make substantial investments in their universities. In the current climate there is likely to be increased pressure on finances, with vital income from charities and business squeezed; revenue from international students volatile, and costs for people, energy and borrowing soaring.

“This settlement does not go far enough for many of our leading research-intensive universities to meet these tough challenges.”

Notes to editors

1. An analysis of the results of the RAE 2008 show that while the Russell Group represents only 12% of all universities, over 60% of all ‘world leading’ or 4* rated research is undertaken at Russell Group universities. http://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/news/2008/russell-group-welcomes-outstanding-rae-results.html
2. This announcement relates to English universities only

Related case studies

How Imperial College London helped one small business bend boundaries

Design manufacturing company RoboFold drew on Imperial College London expertise in mathematical modelling to increase the performance of their robotic systems, enabling them to expand into new markets.  The expertise was accessed through the College’s consultancy company, Imperial Consultants (ICON).

Read more >

Reducing the economic damage from volcanic ash clouds

The eruption of Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull in 2010 wreaked havoc on Europe’s airways. The rapid spread of a huge cloud of ash led to over 100,000 flight cancellations, at a cost estimated at £3 billion. Researchers at the University of Bristol have helped to reduce the likelihood of this happening again.

Read more >