| Who applies?
ITPs, PTEs, Universities, Wānanga
| Fund focus:
Capability funding, Research
|
| Status:
Ongoing
| Agreed through?
Investment Plan (on Plan)
|
The primary purpose of the PBRF[1] is to ensure that excellent research in the tertiary education sector is encouraged and rewarded. This entails assessing the research performance of TEOs[2] and then funding them on the basis of their performance.
The PBRF is one of six TEOC funding elements. It is accessed by universities, ITPs, wānanga and PTEs.
The size of the PBRF funding pool is determined by government through its annual Budget.
PBRF funding is agreed through the Investment Plan. Delivery of the Plan is monitored by us.
The funding period for the PBRF is the calendar year from 1 January to 31 December and the calculation is formulaic.
The PBRF model has three elements:
- Quality Evaluation: to reward and encourage the quality of researchers—60 percent of the fund
- Research Degree Completions: to reflect research degree completions—25 percent of the fund
- External Research Income: to reflect external research income—15 percent of fund.
The first element (Quality Evaluation) is an assessment of the research performance of staff at eligible TEOs, by an expert peer review panel and is held periodically. The initial round was completed in 2003 and the second, a partial round, was held in 2006. The next full round of quality evaluation will take place in 2012.
The second element (Research Degree Completion) is a yearly measurement of the number of PBRF eligible postgraduate research-based degrees completed at participating TEOs.
The third element (External Research Income) is a yearly measurement of the amount of income received by participating TEOs from external sources for research purposes.
Any TEO that receives funding must abide by a number of rules and conditions.
Access to PBRF funding will be considered in accordance with government policy (as directed by the Minister’s determination under section 159L of the Education Act 1989), the Tertiary Education Strategy, and in response to performance.