The call for Expressions of Interest for Block Grant Partnerships 2 (BGP2) is now open. BGP2 awards will be given to Research Organisations (ROs) or consortia of ROs to provide funding for postgraduate studentships from 2014. The BGP2 scheme will be the AHRC’s main route for providing postgraduate research and training during this period.
BGP2 is open to all UK-based ROs directly funded by HEFCE, DEL, HEFCW and SFC.
The AHRC is aware that ROs preparing BGP2 Type A bids are calculating the number of studentships they plan to request in relation to the minimum (40) and maximum (60) thresholds per annum, and that, in some cases, wider consortium arrangements are being shaped by these numeric factors. ROs should consider carefully the methods by which such figures are calculated and justified.
• The current BGP1 and BGP:CB schemes allocate both Master’s level and doctoral studentships, whereas BGP2 will focus on capacity for supporting doctoral studentships at the level requested in the proposals. Current BGP award allocations should be read in that context.
• BGP2 studentship requests should not be based in any automatic way on BGP1 or BGP:CB allocations, but nor should they be totally divorced from them, as track record (where one exists) is part of the evidence to support the case for BGP2 studentships.
• That said, where there is no track record, but substantial development in doctoral research provision has occurred since the current BGP allocations, ROs should cite evidence for their capacity to support the requested number of doctoral studentships, and balance carefully any developmental and longer-standing elements in their proposal.
The AHRC recognises that the postgraduate research landscape is a dynamic and changing one and that ROs experience growth and decline across different disciplines over such block funding lifetimes. However, the aspirations of BGP2 applications need to be formulated within a sound, and well-evidenced, framework.
Please note: Expressions of Interest should be completed in Arial 11 point, or an equivalent font and size.
Deadline is 5.00pm on 27 February 2012.
Expressions of Interest should be submitted by email to BGP2EOI@ahrc.ac.uk and follow the format detailed in the document below.
For help and advice in completing Expressions of Interest, please email: BGP2Enquiries@ahrc.ac.uk