University Works With Consultant to Find Ways to Stimulate Research

The University of Arkansas is embarking on a review of its system for distributing research incentive funds among the colleges and faculty researchers. The university is contracting with Huron Consulting to review the university's policies, practices and distribution formulas for these funds, to learn if the current system is efficiently and effectively stimulating new research projects on campus.

The research incentive funds come from the portion of research grants that are intended to cover the university's research infrastructure and administrative costs. A portion of those funds are distributed to the colleges, to the office of research and economic development and, in some cases, to departments and faculty members to help develop new research projects.

"We want to be sure that the university is distributing these funds in the best manner so that we are stimulating our research enterprise effectively," said James Rankin, vice provost for research and economic development. "The university has decided to review our current system, and to hire Huron Consulting to essentially give us a fresh perspective."

Huron Consulting representatives will be on campus on Sept. 21-23 for scheduled interviews with faculty, administrators and others familiar with research issues. Following the interviews, Huron Consulting will conduct a further review of the present system and prepare a report and recommendations for the campus administration.