Research Equipment Database
Link to: UoB Research Equipment Database
Applying for Equipment from RCUK
In response to 50% cut in capital budgets allocated to Research Councils by Government in the last Comprehensive Spending Review, and the need to demonstrate further efficiencies, the Research Councils issued new guidance relating to equipment purchases in May 2011.
- Funding can be requested for items of equipment up to £10,000 and should be included in applications as other directly incurred costs;
- HEIs will be expected to provide a contribution towards the costs of individual items of capital equipment in the £10,000 to £135,668 (inc VAT) bracket and have been advised to budget for 50% in each instance.
- For individual items over £135,668, a business case outlining the strategic need will be required and for most of the Research Councils an institutional contribution towards the costs of purchasing and/or operating this equipment is expected. These business cases should be led by a senior member of the University (PVC or equivalent) and must be aligned to University and Faculty strategies for building research capacity. Some Councils (such as EPSRC and BBSRC) have also introduced evaluation criteria to assess business cases for equipment. It is therefore extremely important that you notify your Faculty RIOM and Head of Department at an early stage if you intend to apply for equipment items over £135,688.
Efficient use of Research Equipment
RCUK are actively promoting equipment sharing as a means to demonstrate efficiency savings, and there is now a requirement for PIs and institutions to demonstrate that they are considering sharing equipment, both within and between institutions when applying for equipment on research grants.
The University has set up a searchable database of all research equipment valued over £50k .
In addition to helping you find pieces of kit, this data will also enable the University to be more strategic in replacement and investment in major items of research equipment. For queries please contact Richard Buist.
Communications to academics on Research Equipment Sharing.
Useful links