Higher Education Research and Knowledge Exchange
A key aim of the department is to develop and sustain a Higher Education Research sector that holds a strong position within the UK and beyond and makes a major contribution to economic and social well-being.
Responsibilities of Higher Education Research and Knowledge Exchange (HERKE) branch
HERKE branch is responsible for the formulation, development, and oversight of the implementation of Higher Education Research and Knowledge Exchange policy and funding in accordance with Northern Ireland’s (NI) needs.
The branch provides core funding for these two fundamental aspects of our universities’ work, manages the NI element of one international research programme, and oversees promotion of NI participation in Horizon Europe.
Research funding
The Department provides Research funding for Northern Ireland Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) through a range of mechanisms. The majority of year on year (recurrent) research funding is distributed by reference to quality as assessed by performance in the most recent research assessment exercise, the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021. This is known as Quality-related Research (QR) funding. QR funding is paid to HEIs as part of the annual block grant, which includes funds for learning and teaching and widening participation and, as such, can be distributed by the recipient university according to its own strategic priorities.
QR funding also enables the universities to apply for competitive funding to cover the direct costs of specific research projects from funders such as UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), industry, charities, government departments and the European Union.
There are thus two main kinds of higher education research funding in Northern Ireland, known as the Dual Support System:
- funding provided by the department to promote a dynamic and sustainable research base within universities
- funding made available to all UK universities on a competitive basis for specific projects by UKRI research councils and other funders.
The Department provides Capital funding for Research through the Higher Education Research Capital (HERC) fund.
Post graduate studentship (PGA) scheme
HERKE also has responsibility for the DfE Postgraduate studentships scheme. For further information on the department`s studentships please visit the Postgraduate awards webpage on the nidirect website.