The AHRC is currently planning Round Two of its Block Grant Partnership scheme, which remains the Council’s primary funding mechanism for funding postgraduate students in the arts and humanities. While maintaining the AHRC’s commitment to quality, some of the principles behind BGP2 will differ from those in the original schemes. We will be holding three Town Meetings at various locations around the UK to communicate the principles of BGP2, along with any detailed development that has been reached, and to give the opportunity for input from the HE community. BGP2 will be open to all UK Research Organisations (ROs), and as such, all are welcome to send representatives to these events. 

In 2007, the AHRC launched the Block Grant Partnerships scheme (BGPs), through which awards were made to Research Organisations (ROs) for an allocation of postgraduate studentships in specific subject areas and schemes. The allocations were made for 5 cohorts of students, commencing in the 2009-10 academic year. The subsequent Block Grant Partnerships: Capacity Building Route allowed organisations that did not hold a BGP award to bid for studentships for the 3-year period of 2011-13. This scheme was intended to help organisations build capacity and develop a clear strategic approach to their postgraduate provision in the arts and humanities, in readiness for the next round of the BGP scheme in 2013. 

There will be space at the BGP2 meetings for a maximum of two attendees from each RO. The events are designed to address the requirements of the range of all those who engage with the AHRC’s postgraduate system, including administrative and academic staff, and we recommend that nominated attendees represent each of these groups. An email has been sent to the Provost Vice Chancellor, and to the current BGP coordinators, where relevant; staff will need to co-ordinate who attends the events.

The dates and venues for the events are as follows:

14 September 2011, 1 to 4 pm – Queen Mary, University of London (Mile End Campus, David Sizer Lecture Theatre)

5 October 2011, 1 to 4 pm – Manchester Museum (Kanaris Lecture Theatre)

10 October 2011, 1 to 4pm – Polaris House, Swindon (Council Chambers)

Please email Jenny Gordon (j.gordon@ahrc.ac.uk) by 4pm Friday 10 June 2011, indicating your preference of event and providing the names and email addresses of up to 2 attendees, along with any dietary requirements they may have. Please note that priority will be given to the delegates from the region where the event is being held if there are not enough places to meet demand. 

For your information below is a draft timetable of the key deadlines for the implementation of BGP Round Two: