Media

Oxford tops external research income

09 June 2009

Aim is to maintain investment in research through global financial downturn

The University of Oxford received more external research income than any other UK university in 2007–08, according to figures released today by HESA (the Higher Education Statistics Agency).

Oxford topped the table for the third year running, with £285.3m, up 14.9% from the previous year.

External research income (research grants and contracts) is the largest source of Oxford University’s funding, accounting for 38% of all income – compared to 25% from HEFCE and 4% from endowment returns.

The figures mean that Oxford’s external research income is up 64% over the past 4 years and 142% over the past 9 years. The news follows on from Oxford topping the tables for RAE funding, with £118.9m for 2009–10, higher than any other university.

Dr John Hood, Vice-Chancellor, said: “This unrivalled research investment is an annual vote of confidence in Oxford’s ability to conduct world-leading research into that which we do not understand about our societies, our world and our universe.

“Oxford’s research power is unparalleled in the UK: we have topped the tables for the third year running, alongside topping the tables for RAE income.

“However, the challenge for everyone is maintaining investment in research through the global financial downturn. We were delighted that when the Prime Minister visited Oxford in February he noted that this is no time to slow down investment in research. Our external research funders are obviously not going to be immune to global financial movements, and their continued support in the face of this pressure is vital to us. And, more than ever, the generosity of donors and benefactors is crucial to our endeavour.”

Oxford has also attracted significant funding from overseas, with more international research income than any other UK university. One example, announced today, is £8.7m from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, for a large-scale international study that will establish a new set of standards for foetal growth. Worldwide, 4m babies die each year soon after birth, 98% of them in the developing world. At least 60% of these are associated with low birth weight. In the study, around 5,000 pregnancies will be monitored from 13 weeks to birth at 8 different centres around the world, to give an international measure of healthy foetal growth for the first time.

Oxford is involved in many projects with local, national or international partners. Promoting economic growth in developing countries is, for example, the focus of a new centre established by Oxford and the London School of Economics (LSE), awarded £37m over the next three years by Department for International Development (DFID).

Funding councils have shown strong support for research. The AHRC awarded the largest grant ever to a single institution in March, with £30m for postgraduate research – Oxford Humanities’ biggest ever grant.
Alongside efforts to secure direct investment in specific research projects runs Oxford Thinking, a fundraising drive with a minimum target of £1.25 billion. £679m has already been raised.

Professor Michael Earl, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Development and External Affairs), said: “Oxford’s research strength, evident in the HESA data and RAE results, has been a key factor in the Campaign, with many donors wishing to invest in discovery and innovation that will benefit humanity. Today’s news about our unequalled success in the competitive process of applying for grants demonstrates to potential donors that Oxford is the very best investment for those wanting to fund research of global importance. It is clear that both benefactors and external funding bodies consider Oxford to offer outstanding value for money in converting funds into research with real impact.”

For more information contact the Press Office, University of Oxford, 01865 280528, press.office@admin.ox.ac.uk

For HESA’s press release, go to www.hesa.ac.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1197&Itemid=266 and see ‘latest finance data’

To compare Oxford’s external research income against the external research income of other universities as given in their financial statements, see: www.bufdg.ac.uk/resources/statements/?a=cm

Please note that a science/health correspondent on your media outlet will have been sent the full news release about the Gates grant today

Notes to Editors

  • External research income is the largest source of Oxford University’s funding, accounting for 38% of all annual income, more than the total received from HEFCE.
  • Oxford’s research income reflects the funding for research projects secured through the competitive application processes of a wide range of organisations such as research councils, other government departments and agencies, and charities and foundations, as well as projects supported by and undertaken in collaboration with industry and commerce.
  • Oxford’s external research income is up 15% (£37m) from 2006/07. It is up 64% (£112m) over the past 4 years, a compound annual growth rate of 13.3%, and up 142% (£167m) over the past 9 years, a compound annual growth rate of 10.3%.
  • The Campaign for the University of Oxford (www.campaign.ox.ac.uk) is the largest fundraising campaign in European university history and one of the largest in the world. It has a minimum goal of £1.25bn and has three key aims: -Supporting students-Supporting academic posts and programmes (both existing and new)-Supporting buildings and infrastructure. So far £679m has been raised.
  • In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) Oxford was judged to have the largest submission of world-leading research (4* rated) in the UK. Oxford also had the largest submission of world-leading or internationally excellent research (4* or 3* rated) in the UK. The results were reflected in the distribution of funds by HEFCE, with Oxford receiving £118.9m for 2009–10, more than any other university.
  • The Prime Minister, The Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, visited the University of Oxford on 27 February 2009 to deliver the Romanes lecture on ‘Science and our Economic Future’ and meet researchers and students. In his lecture he said: “Some say that now is not the time to invest, but the bottom line is that the downturn is no time to slow down our investment in science but to build more vigorously for the future. We will not allow science to become a victim of the recession – but rather focus on developing it as a key element of our path to recovery.” For more information see: www.ox.ac.uk/media/news_stories/2009/090227_1.html
  • Of the University’s four academic divisions, the Medical Sciences Division is by far the largest recipient of external research income, accounting for 62% of overall external research income and 70% of international research income. If the Medical Sciences Division were an institution on its own, it would be the 5th largest university in the UK based on research income.
  • Oxford University received its largest ever funding for research in Humanities recently, with over £30m from the Arts and Humanities Research Council. This is the largest sum ever granted to a single institution by the AHRC. The funding, which comes through the AHRC’s new Block Grant Partnership Scheme, guarantees research awards for 407 doctoral students and 290 masters students over the next five years. The awards fall within 21 different AHRC subject areas, from Archaeology to Religious Studies, and will be held by students in all faculties in the Humanities Division, as well as by several departments in Social Sciences. For more information see: www.ox.ac.uk/media/news_releases_for_journalists/090312.html
  • The International Growth Centre, launched by International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander in December 2008, is led by the University of Oxford and the London School of Economics, and aims to provide practical help to promote economic growth in developing countries. DFID will provide £37m over the next three years to fund it. At the launch, Mr Alexander described the Centre as a ‘global brains trust’, which could improve the ability of developing countries to cope with effects of the economic downturn and provide innovative research on growth. For more information see: www.ox.ac.uk/media/news_stories/2008/081211.html
  • A large-scale international study will establish a new set of standards that describe the optimal, healthy growth of foetuses in the womb and newborn babies during the first year of life thanks to a $12.3m (£8.7m) grant to the Nuffield Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Oxford University from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Full news release on request.Please note that a science/health correspondent on your media outlet will have been sent the full news release about the grant today.

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