Independent Expert Review for Performance-Based Research Fund
An independent expert review of the $230 million Performance-Based Research Fund for tertiary education organisations is
getting underway next week.
The Performance-Based Research Fund (PBRF) is administered by the Tertiary Education Commission and rewards and
encourages research excellence in tertiary education organisations.
Ongoing evaluation is important for testing, maintaining and enhancing the effectiveness and credibility of the fund,
acting TEC Chief Executive Dr Colin Webb said today.
“The independent expert review underlines our commitment to the fund and the key role it plays in the tertiary education
reforms as we continue to improve the quality of tertiary education and research,” he said.
The TEC has commissioned the expert independent review of the PBRF to be undertaken by Dr Jonathan Adams of Evidence
Ltd; Leeds; United Kingdom. The Terms of Reference for this review have developed in consultation with the tertiary
education sector.
The review will involve consultation with stakeholders across the sector, as well as an extensive literature and data
review.
It is expected that the review will be completed by the end of June 2008.
About the PBRF
The PBRF was developed in close consultation with the tertiary education sector. The PBRF ensures that funding for
research is more closely aligned to research excellence. This entails assessing the research performance of Tertiary
Education Organisations (TEOs) and then funding them on the basis of their performance.
The PBRF has three elements – all measures of research excellence: the quality of research outputs and other
contributions by individual tertiary education researchers (60% of the fund), research degree completions (25%) and
external research income (15%).
The major element, the Quality Evaluation, is held periodically. The first was completed in 2003 and the second, a
partial round, was held in 2006. The next full round is scheduled for 2012.
The PBRF contributes to the success of the Tertiary Education Strategy, supporting its goals of encouraging an
integrated, specialised tertiary education sector, developing Maori and Pacific research capability and improving
linkages with relevant communities.
ENDS