What is quality-related research funding—and why does it matter?

QR is part of the dual-support system

Public research funding in the UK uses two connected routes. Research councils and other funders support specific projects and programmes through competitive awards. Alongside that, the four UK higher education funding bodies provide block funding based on measures of research quality and other factors.

In England, Research England calls the largest part of this institutional research funding quality-related, or QR, funding. The terminology and detailed methods differ across the devolved nations, but the shared idea is stable institutional support alongside project funding.

What makes QR different

Project funding is normally tied to an approved purpose, budget and set of terms. QR funding is deliberately less prescriptive. Eligible higher education providers have discretion over how it supports their research strategies within the applicable funding conditions.

That flexibility can sustain people, facilities, disciplines, capability and early ideas that do not fit neatly inside a single project. It can also help organisations respond to emerging opportunity and maintain the environment in which externally funded work succeeds.

How the amount is informed

Research England distributes formula-based funding using data and policy decisions. Research quality and volume, informed by the Research Excellence Framework, are central to mainstream QR. Other elements support priorities such as postgraduate research, charity-funded research, business-funded research and national facilities or libraries.

The formula and allocations can change between funding years. For current planning, organisations should use the latest Research England publications rather than assuming that a previous rate, multiplier or allocation method still applies.

Why research operations teams should care

QR is often discussed as a finance or REF matter, but its value depends on connections across the institution. Research strategy, workforce planning, infrastructure, project pipelines, impact, knowledge exchange and financial sustainability all affect how flexible funding can create the greatest benefit.

A useful internal conversation is not only ‘how much QR do we receive?’ It is ‘what capacity and outcomes does this funding make possible, how do we know, and how does that support connect to our wider funding portfolio?’

Keep the explanation simple

QR is institutional research funding informed by quality and related factors. It complements project grants by giving eligible providers room to support research capability and priorities. The detailed formula matters for planning, but the strategic point is that both parts of dual support depend on a healthy research ecosystem around the funded work.