Recommendation(s): 29

Recommendation 29: We recommend to the Government that a new Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) should be established as soon as possible.

5.10 The Government has noted the widespread support from interested organisations for the need for new arrangements for funding arts and humanities research. It is considering the Committee’s recommendation for the establishment of an Arts and Humanities Research Council in the context of the Comprehensive Spending Review, taking into account the Committee’s view that an additional £25m is needed for arts and humanities research built up over three years. The Government will respond to this recommendation in the light of that Review and bearing in mind, too, the need for primary legislation to establish a new Research Council. It welcomes the decision by the Higher Education Funding Council for England to set aside £8m in 1998/99 for project funding for research in arts and the humanities. This will be administered by a new board set up by the Funding Council with appropriate representation from those in the arts and humanities, including art and design. It will bring funding for staff conducting research in the arts and humanities in England broadly into line with the existing levels in Scotland. Arrangements beyond 1998/99 will be announced in due course.

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