Oxford Humanities receives more than £30m in funding
13 Mar 09
Oxford University has received its largest ever funding for research in Humanities after being awarded more than £30 million by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. This is also 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.
Oxford’s application was assessed by an exhaustive peer review process, followed by three-day scrutiny by a moderating panel of 18 members drawn from across the UK arts and humanities research community. Out of the 48 institutions that bid successfully for funding under the new scheme, Oxford was one of only three to receive the highest ‘Grade 6’ assessment.
The new AHRC Block Grant Partnership will enable Oxford to enhance its long-term planning for postgraduate training and research and give the University greater freedom to select the best home and E.U. students, irrespective of background.
Professor Sally ShuttleworthLack of funding for postgraduate study is a major issue for Humanities subjects nationally so the new system of block grants will bring greater stability.
Professor Sally Shuttleworth, Head of the Humanities Division at Oxford, said: 'Oxford takes very seriously its role in training the next generation of academics and we are delighted by this vote of confidence by the AHRC in the quality of our graduate provision.
'The award will enable us to make offers to our top candidates early on in the cycle, and avoid the uncertainties of the current system whereby students do not hear whether they have funding for their studies until a month or six weeks before the start of the academic year. Lack of funding for postgraduate study is a major issue for Humanities subjects nationally; the new system of block grants will bring greater stability, and enhance forward planning for all concerned.'
Professor Roger Goodman, Head of the Social Sciences Division at Oxford, echoed the sentiments expressed by Professor Shuttleworth, adding: ‘We are delighted that the AHRC has recognised the quality of our graduate provision in the Social Sciences Division. We are especially pleased that under this scheme postgraduate students in Law, Archaeology, Area Studies, and Politics can apply for places at Oxford, irrespective of their financial situation.’
Professor Philip Esler, Chief Executive of the AHRC said: “The AHRC is delighted to be able to fund so many outstanding postgraduates in our new Block Grant Partnerships Scheme with universities like Oxford, where postgraduate training and institutional research strategies are now closely integrated.”