Research funding boost for Coventry University

Coventry University will receive a substantial increase in research funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) next year, in recognition of its improved performance in the government’s Research Excellence Framework (REF).

The University will be granted over £3.2 million by HEFCE for 2015/16 to fund its research, which amounts to an increase of almost 70% over the previous year – one of the highest funding increases amongst Midlands universities.

Coventry’s performance in last year’s REF – a government initiative for assessing the quality of research across all UK higher education institutions – saw significant areas of its research rated as ‘world leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’.

The institution’s work in the field of ‘Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy’ was particularly highly-rated, with 94% of research submitted in the category being scored as either 4-star (world leading) or 3-star (internationally excellent).

Coventry University’s share is part of a wider £3.97 billion package of funding being allocated to 130 higher education institutions and 214 further education and sixth form colleges across the UK.

Professor John Latham, vice-chancellor of Coventry University, said:

This funding increase from HEFCE is a most welcome development and will reinforce the high quality of research being conducted at Coventry University.

Our REF performance confirmed the huge strides that we’re making to dramatically improve our reputation for research, and these new funds will help us continue to make a real impact in the region and the world around us.

Professor Madeleine Atkins, chief executive of HEFCE, said:

The results of the REF demonstrated that we have a world-leading higher education sector. We will continue to fund universities and colleges in ways which allow them to build on their successes and continue to flourish for the benefit of students, the economy and society.