NI research funding context
Public funding for research in higher education in Northern Ireland is administered under a “dual support system”. The Department for Employment and Learning funds research through its quality-related (QR) research funding programme. In addition, NI institutions may apply for grants from the Research Councils, charities, the European Union and government departments for specific research projects and programmes.
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Research Excellence Framework for the whole of the UK, supported by the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland, and the higher education funding bodies in Scotland and Wales.
Useful links:
Department for Employment and Learning
HEFCE
Research Councils UK
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Recent research policy publications:
