Funding to Improve Participation for BAME Groups in Postgraduate Research

Research England (RE) and the Office for Students (OfS) are providing his joint funding competition for project proposals to improve access and participation for Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups in PGR study in the English higher education sector.

Due to the uncertainty of the current pandemic and the resource implications this is having on the sector, the RE and the OfS have extended the deadline for submitting bids to this joint funding competition, from 28 January to 27 May 2021.

RE/OfS are interested in projects that aim to provide evidence of effectiveness and impact on improved access and participation for Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups in PGR study. They expect projects to aim to provide exemplars of effective practice and/or transferable insights across the higher education sector.

Bids must meet one or more of the following priorities:

To stimulate innovation, scale up and/or distribute effective practice in increasing access and participation for Black, Asian and/or minority ethnic groups in PGR study

To ambitiously address evidenced issues of inequality across the PGR student lifecycle that create barriers for students from Black, Asian and/or minority ethnic groups

To collaborate strategically to embed EDI across the sector to improve access and participation for Black, Asian and/or minority ethnic groups in PGR study.

This funding opportunity is open to lead higher education providers who:

Are in the ‘Approved (fee cap)’ category of the OfS Register as at 22 October 2020, and;

Are eligible for RE funding, as detailed in RE’s published terms and conditions.

Providers may only lead on one bid (individual or collaborative) and may be involved in up to three other bids as a partner; therefore no more than four bids in total.

Up to £8 million is available for this scheme.

Bids will be considered for:

A minimum of £200,000

A maximum of £400,000 for bids from single institutions

A maximum of £800,000 for bids from multiple institutions.

Bids may be made for projects of a duration of up to four academic years.

Completed application forms must be submitted by 27 May 2021 (noon).

More information about this research funding opportunity and the application process is available on the RESEARCHconnect funding information platform. RESEARCHconnect provides up-to-the minute content, insight and analysis on research funding news and policy. To find out more about how RESEARCHconnect can keep you in the know, and subscription fees, contact us today.