GG18- d2_7_2_rob_carthy

1. Unbundling University Activity, and
the role of big funders:
Rob Carthy, Director of International Development
Northumbria University
Universities, EU Structural Funds, and successful engagement with SMEs

2. EU Funding and activity with the UK HE sector
• ERASMUS+ (200k students and 20k staff from UK have travelled using
Erasmus monies
• Horizon 2020 (over £800m per year into UKHE)
• Structural Funds (ERDF, ESF) - £100m per year into UKHE
• Student recruitment
• Staff recruitment

3. EU Structural Funds
• European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF) covers ERDF and ESF
• Between 03/04 and 14/15, UK HEIs received more than £1bn from the EU
via European Regional Development Funds (ERDF), with funding distributed
through the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs)
• At Northumbria ERDF monies have supported Graduates into Business,
Creative Fuse, and the Northumbria Enterprise and Business Support
projects
• All are projects designed to support SMEs in sourcing appropriately-qualified
graduates or in the case of the Creative Fuse, develop innovation linked to
Northumbria’s key strength in Design.

4. EU Project success and challenges
• ERDF projects – around £6m income, provided graduate employment, funded
contracts with SMEs in the region, and gave substantial creative input
• Research projects – NU currently leading GETM3, a cross EU/Korean project
bringing HEIs into partnership with SMEs through entrepreneurship
• Challenges with working with SMEs include timescales, scope and scale, and
ensuring that outcomes are aligned.
• At many SMEs, individuals carry a broad portfolio of responsibilities, compared
to HEIs where responsibilities are more silo-based.

6. What future in a post-Brexit world?
• UK due to leave EU in March ‘19, but with an anticipated transition period
• In some funding streams the UK is a net contributor (e.g., Structural Funds), so
funds could be repurposed.
• Erasmus+/H2020 - plans to ensure ability to participate if not lead – associate
membership?
• Recruitment of EU students likely to be hugely impacted
• Staff from EU countries – challenges ahead