RCUK Research Outcomes Project

Background Originally the Outputs and Outcomes Collection System, the project was refocused in June 2010 following the Spending Review; Uses previous input to the OOCS project from universities and other stakeholders; EPSRC, AHRC, BBSRC developing a system based on ESRC’s existing collection tool; Remaining 3 Research Councils should migrate within 3-5 years

Benefits Builds on a mature platform that has collected ESRC outcomes for over five years; Data can be collected at any time once the grant is awarded; Affords BIS a sounder evidence base for the setting of future funding levels across competing demands of the public sector.

Benefits Evidence base to demonstrate the economic impact that results from investment in the research base; For EPSRC, it will replace the Final Report.

How will it work? Grant Holders contacted directly – can then login to Research Outcomes System and delegate data input to Co-I or central Research Offices if desired; Aim is to use existing Je-S login details; Each grant held will be visible, and outcomes can be submitted against 9 Outcome Types.

Outcome Types – High Level RCs are working with HEFCE to ensure that Outcomes and Outputs collected are in line with the classifications to be used for the Research Excellence Framework Publications Collaboration/Partnership Dissemination and Communication IP and Exploitation Award/Recognition Staff Development Further Funding Impact Others

How will it work? Regular reminders to grant holders to update any new outcomes; Universities with central repositories of this information can use spreadsheet for bulk upload of single grant data, as per ESRC’s current process.

Timelines Prototype system shared with some volunteer Research Offices (Feb 2011) System build (complete April 2011) Testing (April/May 2011) Pilot for 2 or 3 Universities (June 2011) Go-live (July 2011)

Further Information Regularly updated news page: http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/research/ResearchOutcomes/Pages/home.aspx Email: Researchoutcomes@rcuk.ac.uk

Questions: Will previously submitted data (e.g. via the Final Report) be visible in the new system? Will we definitely be able to use Je-S login? What is the scope of ‘Bulk Upload’? Can I bulk upload more than one grant at once? I don’t want Grant Holders to input any data due to IP issues, can it all be centralised? Will HEIs have access to the data that Grant Holders submit? How is this intended to integrate with institutional systems? Will HEIs be able to manage data input based on JeS application/finance submitter pool access? Is there any automatic population of e.g. ISBN fields? What if a Grant Holder moves institution?