University hits record high in research funding

PA 237/09 Funding for pioneering research at The University of Nottingham is at an all-time high — despite the tougher climate affecting grant awards. Academics at the University have secured a record £140 million over the past year from research councils, charitable foundations, Government departments, the EU, private companies, professional organisations and other grant-giving bodies. These results represent a 7.7 per cent increase on last year's funding total and a significant endorsement of the University's national and international reputation as a research centre of excellence. League tables compiled by the Times Higher Education based on UK Research Councils grants have revealed that The University of Nottingham came joint second in its success rate for grant applications, ahead of Oxford, University College London (UCL), Edinburgh, Manchester and Imperial College. Nearly a third of Nottingham bids received funding. The University of Nottingham's success rate was 29 per cent. The average success rate for the top 20 universities in 2008-2009 was 25 per cent.