Using QR as subsidy

QR is allocated to schools in a transparent manner via the IDM. It is a finite amount, and plans for research activity must be based on it.

This is illustrated by the graph “QR funding to live projects”.

All things being equal, and assuming the average project to have a 3 year life span, 2/3rds of a given year’s QR budget would already be “booked” to projects that started in the previous 2 years.

This leaves 1/3rd of the QR budget to support projects starting in the current year. All will be well with Projects 1 to X (in the graph). But Project Y has a problem. The last dollop of QR was allocated to Project X and there is none left.

In this case the School may review its Projects 1 to X and express disappointment that such a large allocation of QR was made to Project W on behalf of the EU; or to Project V, which investigates an area that is perceived as peripheral to the School’s main research interests. If the projects have started, then it’s too late.

Of course, in reality project Y may find funding from elsewhere, but this does serve to illustrate the problems facing the Head of School when he/ she is asked to approve a research application.

School strategy and pricing
Costing and Pricing