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That European universities have a stable core funding and another depending on the results of research activity at the expense of traditional input indicators as the number of students, is the main recommendation of the expert group which met for two months at the University of Murcia to discuss new funding models for universities.

The findings of the report prepared by the committee of experts from ten European countries were presented today by the deputy general Convalescence Modernization and Promotion of University Research of the Ministry of Education, Luis Delgado, and the rector of the University of Murcia, José Antonio Cobacho, and other members of his governing team, as Vice President of Research, Juan María Vázquez.

The report analyzes the underfunding of universities to develop their roles in a frame, 2010, in which the EU will not have achieved the objectives set by the European Commission to spend at least 3% of GDP to research and development and 2% Higher Education.

Experts propose, together with the development of performance indicators that take into account the different missions of universities (education, research, innovation, social dimension), improving their management systems so they know the costs associated with activities.

Another of the recommendations contained in the report is the need to ensure strategic and financial autonomy of universities for the allocation of budgetary resources, thus granting draft risk inherent in all research at the frontier of knowledge.

It also calls for simplification and harmonization of conditions, associated with the funding agencies impose in terms of preparation of proposals, inspections, audits, etc..

and take greater account of ex post assessments of projects and the use of indicators for peer review.

Also among the suggestions of experts to improve the funding include improving and professionalizing the management of financial resources, increase transparency in the allocation of these inputs internally and include methods of cost-benefit analysis for activities, so is known, not only cost but also the benefit from them.

This, they conclude, with a view to involve private sector funding that currently depends almost 90% of the public.

These proposals, after review by the European Research Advisory Committee (ERAC), will be sent to the governments of European countries and the EU as an indication of program funding.

Source: Universidad de Murcia