Research conducted at the University of Bolton is to receive a substantial government funding increase, it has been announced today (5 March 2009).
The University is to receive a 170% grant rise from the Higher Education Funding Council for England. The average increase for universities is just under 8%.
From September 2009 the University's total annual research grant allocation will be will be £727,604. The University received £269,877 from HEFCE for the 2008-09 academic year.
The news follows the University's successful Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) results, announced in December 2008, when research work conducted at the University was assessed as world-leading, in terms of originality, significance and rigour.
Research work in Engineering, in Architecture and the Built Environment, in Social Work and Social Policy has been assessed as being world-leading, achieving the 4* rating. All research in Philosophy at the University is of international excellence and significance.
Said Deputy Vice Chancellor Dr Peter Marsh: 'World-leading and internationally important academic research is being carried out at the University of Bolton.
'This increase in research grant is most welcome and will be used to support areas of existing research excellence and emerging areas of potential.'
Dr Marsh said the University's funding success was influenced by two factors – development and expansion of the University's research groups, together with changes in the RAE methodology.
Said Dr Marsh: 'Changes to the RAE mean it recognises pockets of excellence in research and is committed to funding that excellent research. Our research gems were not so well highlighted in previous RAEs, but have now come to the fore.
'There has also been a step-change in the standard of research at the University of Bolton and this has also been a factor.'
The University of Bolton is home to two research centres recognised as world-class leaders in their fields, the Centre for Materials Research and Innovation and the Institute for Educational Cybernetics.
In total, the University of Bolton submitted nine research areas to the Government-led RAE 2008: General Engineering (including the Centre for Materials Research and Innovation), Architecture, Business, Social Work, Psychology, Education (including the Institute for Educational Cybernetics), English, Philosophy and Art & Design.