Performance Based Research Fund (PBRF) Quality Evaluation 2006

Following the latest Performance Based Research Fund Quality Evaluation in 2006 by the Tertiary Education Commission, The University of Auckland once again emerged as the New Zealand university with the greatest overall research strength.

PBRF results showed that The University of Auckland:

• has the largest number of top-rated researchers
• has the largest annual number of graduate student completions
• has the highest level of research income of any university in New Zealand
• won more than 30% of this national research fund, despite only having 18% of the PBRF eligible staff in New Zealand.

The primary goal of the Performance Based Research Fund (PBRF) is to encourage excellence in research in the tertiary education sector. This is done through formal assessment of the research performance of tertiary education organisations (TEOs) with funding provided on the basis of measured performance.

The PBRF is managed by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC). The PBRF has three components: a periodic Quality Evaluation using expert panels to assess research quality based on material contained in Evidence Portfolios supplied by all eligible researchers; an annual measure for research degree completions; and an annual measure for external research income. In the PBRF funding formula, the three components are weighted 60/25/15 respectively.

The PBRF fund is formed through removal of the so-called 'research top-up' portion of the EFTS funding allocated to institutions, and the new money the Government has added to this fund. The pool formed in this way is then reallocated through the competitive PBRF process. The PBRF is now worth a total of $235m.

All staff employed by TEOs at the level of 0.2FTE or more on the census date to undertake research and/or degree level teaching, are eligible for the PBRF.

Complete background information is available at the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) website.

If you have any questions please email pbrf@auckland.ac.nz