OECD. Promoting Research Excellence: New Approaches to Funding. OECD Publishing. 2014, Pages:  219

This OECD report presents new evidence on how governments steer and fund public research in higher education and public research institutions through "research excellence initiatives" (REIs). REI is an instrument designed to encourage outstanding research by providing large-scale, long-term funding to designated research units. They provide funds for research and research-related measures, such as the improvement or extension of physical infrastructure, the recruitment of outstanding researchers from abroad and researcher training. 

The report can help inform discussions on future government policy directions by providing information on how REIs work and on the functioning and characteristics of institutions that host centres of excellence. The findings show some of the benefits to be gained through REIs and note some pitfalls to be avoided.

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