Licensing procedures for centres and institutes
The majority of research at the University of St Andrews takes place within academic schools, however, the University also supports a number of world-class, often cross-disciplinary or cross-institutional, research centres or institutes:
- Centre: a group concerned, generally, with research collaboration
- Institute: a group concerned with research collaboration as well as the provision of some teaching, usually at postgraduate level
The designation ‘Centre’ should be used for collaborative research groups, while groups with teaching provision should be designated ‘Institutes’. RCIs are expected to have a listing in our Research Information Management System (Pure) and a public presence clearly linked to the University's corporate identity, identifying the director or directors and participating School or Schools.
New centre or institute licensing procedure
Proposals for a new centre or institute should be completed online. A link to the online application can be requested from Research and Innovation Services at ris@st-andrews.ac.uk. The proposal should be supported by the appropriate Head or Heads of School, Director of Research and Director of Impact and Innovation. Confirmation of the patron and associated School support will be requested as part of the application process.
Centres and Institutes are reviewed regularly by Research and Innovation Services on behalf of the Principal's Office (PO) through the Vice-Principal for Research, Collections and Innovation (VPRCI). Any interim changes to the Centre or Institute should be sent to Research and Innovation Services at ris@st-andrews.ac.uk. The RCI licence will normally be valid for five years, at which point a relicensing application will have to be submitted for continuation.
Centre or institute relicensing procedure
All existing Research Centres and Institutes (RCIs) will be invited to apply for relicensing, beginning with those which have been licensed the longest. Directors do not need to take any action until they receive their invitation with a link to the online form.
The University recognises three types which correspond to the levels at which RCIs are licensed:
- University level: University-wide strategic priority RCIs that usually span several Schools
- Inter-school level: RCIs spanning and of importance to two or more School strategic plans
- School level: RCIs that are of strategic relevance to a single School
New application and relicensing approval process
On receipt of an application, if all criteria are met and no further information is required from the applicant, in consultation with the VPRCI the application will be accepted for review.
The VPRCI and RIS team will present the application at the next available Research Excellence Board (REB) meeting for review. University level RCIs recommended by REB will be referred to the PO for approval. The decision will be communicated by the RIS team to the applicant and copied to the Head of School, Director of Research, and Director of Impact and Innovation of the hosting School.
View the Research Centres and Institutes policy document (PDF).
Centre or institute annual report
During their lifespan, RCIs will be required to submit a short annual report focusing on progress against their ambitions by the end of years one and two. An interim review will take place at the end of year three, and an end of life, or relicensing, review by end of year five.
A full list of the University's Research Centres and Institutes (RCIs) can be found in the Research portal. It is expected that the RCI will maintain their own website, which should include the University logo, contact details, and names of the director and other staff involved, as well as the focus, aims and activities of the Centre. Centre staff should work with the Digital Communications team to ensure websites are accessible and sustainable, in keeping with the University's strategic goals, and that brand guidelines are followed when using University logos.
RCI's are asked to notify RIS of any significant changes, such as a director’s name, RCI title, status, or type. If you are unsure if the change requires approval please contact the RIS team.
For all enquiries relating to RCIs, please email ris@st-andrews.ac.uk in the first instance.