The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) today confirmed its plans to implement threshold-governed institution allocations for the 2011-15 higher education innovation funding (HEIF). Under the new scheme, 98 institutions will receive a share of £600 million. However, many of the smaller and specialist institutions will lose HEIF funding entirely based on the threshold requirement.

The higher education representative body GuildHE had argued that performance, not the size of the institution or the amount of its previous HEIF allocations, should determine support.

Andy Westwood, CEO of GuildHE, said:
“We are disappointed that government has not found a way to provide innovation funding for many small and specialist institutions. Institutions and businesses in key sectors of the economy will now miss out despite demonstrating better returns on public investment than others who will continue to receive funds.”

For more information and comment, please contact:

Andy Westwood

GuildHE CEO
Tel: 020 7387 7711
Mobile: 07970007142
Email: andy.westwood@guildhe.ac.uk

Notes to editors
1. GuildHE is a recognised higher education representative body. Its 32 members are among the most dynamic and fastest-growing institutions in the sector. For a list of GuildHE institutions, please visit: https://www.guildhe.ac.uk/en/members-list/

2. The Higher Education Funding Council for England’s (HEFCE) report on HEIF 2011-15 and institutional allocations can be found at: https://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/hefce/2011/11_16 from 0001hrs 26 May 2011.

3. GuildHE’s response to the HEIF consultation can be found at: https://www.guildhe.ac.uk/en/about_guildHE/what-does-guildhe-do-home/policy–influence/consultations-page.cfm