What is RLP?
The Research Lifecycle Programme, commonly shortened to RLP, is a portfolio of projects that will improve the experiences of The University of Manchester’s research community.
Spread across six linked workstreams the £5 million per year investment will help to deliver new products, services and infrastructure to ensure the University continues to deliver world-class research.
Why do we need RLP?
The continuation of RLP demonstrates the University’s ongoing commitment to improve the processes and systems around research.
As competitor institutions make similar strategic investments in their people and systems, RLP will be a vital part of maintaining the University’s position and profile.
The Research Lifecycle Programme is a key contributor to many of the University’s strategic aims, including:
- Being consistently ranked within the top 25 universities in the world.
- Increasing the University’s market share of external research funding opportunities.
- Ensuring the quality of our research places us amongst the top 5 UK universities in the Research Excellence Framework.
- Increasing interdisciplinary research.
What will RLP help to deliver?
The Research Lifecycle Programme will deliver a series of strategic activities to improve the research experience at The University of Manchester.
It will provide academics, and the professional services colleagues who support them the tools, processes and support that they need to deliver world-class research.
Research experience
Open, reproducible and responsible research
Research computing and data platforms
Skills and workforce development
Research funding lifecycle
How does it align to the University’s strategic plan?
The Research Lifecycle Programme is a key contributor to many of the University’s strategic aims, including:
- Being consistently ranked within the top 25 universities in the world.
- Increasing the University’s market share of external research funding opportunities.
- Ensuring the quality of our research places us amongst the top 5 UK universities in the Research Excellence Framework.
- Increase interdisciplinary research.
When we consider The University of Manchester’s position on global rankings, the competitive process of applying for research grants and funding, or attracting new researchers to the University, it’s easy to see that continued investment is vital to maintaining and improving our profile.
Whilst there is significant focus on researchers, the investment will also help to ensure that colleagues across Professional Services are given the tools they need to work flexibly and efficiently.