Invisible Obligations: Understanding the Full Economic Costs of Applying and Delivering UKRI Funded Research

In previous IRC research, a range of factors were identified that contribute to a lower-than-expected 80% cost recovery in UKRI-supported research. These include equipment and facilities costs; staff under-costing; and inflation. However, these factors only relate to the costs of delivering UKRI-supported projects. This report moves the conversation beyond the project costing stage to unpack the ‘hidden’ costs linked to supporting funded research and aims to better understand the full economic costs of project application and delivery. Drawing on interviews with leaders responsible for research support, this report highlights the complex ecosystem, as well as the different responses of institutions, around research support.

The hidden costs associated with supporting funding applications are beginning to take their toll. Universities are responding to this in a multitude of ways, from constraining internally funded time for research to scaling back the support for applicants and award holders. While UKRI does not have sole responsibility in ‘fixing’ these issues in the system, their leadership role in the research and innovation system means it is well placed to identify and support actions. Based on the insights gathered in this report, we propose possible actions and interventions that UKRI could consider.

Download the full report using the button on the right

Click here to read the related report ‘Understanding Low Levels of FEC Cost Recovery on UKRI Grants