析論英國高等教育研究經費分配機制之運作及其對我國的啟示

RESEARCH FUNDING ALLOCATION MECHANISM IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR TAIWAN

研究目的：在新自由主義影響下，各國政府在對大學挹注研究經費的同時也開始重視學校的績效責任，遂讓「績效本位研究經費分配制度」應運而生。至2010年時，全世界至少有14個國家或地區採用此種制度來分配研究經費，其中又以英國運作最久且最具代表性，英國政府透過著名的「雙軌支援系統」來分配高等教育研究經費，藉此保障研究活動的穩定與卓越發展。與英國相同，我國高等教育研究經費亦分為教育部與科技部兩大財源管道，且同樣採取擇優獎助原則為之，實施以來雖有助於厚植國內研究產能，但亦引起各界對於高等教育資源配置合理性的論辯。由於英國高等教育研究經費分配機制之運作與改革經常受到其他國家關注與仿效，故本研究期能借鏡英國經驗做為精進我國相關政策之參考。研究設計／方法／取徑：本研究採用文件分析法，就英國政府機關所公布之文件記錄、統計資料與報告書進行梳理與分析。研究發現或結論：根據研究發現提出下列啟示：一、釐清政府職能與角色定位，保障大學研究與創新的自主性；二、鼓勵大學開拓更多元的財源管道，因應卓越發展的財務需求；三、協助大學支應研究活動之間接成本，確保研究活動與人才培育的持續性；四、提高政府經費分配過程的透明度和規範性，強化公民社會監督體系；五、建構政策執行成效評估機制，重新思考經費配置的優先順序；六、研究經費的集中挹注僅為短期手段，長期應有更宏觀的規劃。研究原創性／價值：國內尚無以英國「雙軌支援系統」與「績效本位研究經費分配制度」為題進行分析，並提出對我國高等教育經費分配問題改進建議之研究。故本研究除有助於增進讀者對於英國高等教育研究經費配置方式之理解外，亦可做為精進我國相關政策之參考。

Purpose With the influence of neoliberalism, governments worldwide have begun to emphasize the performance and responsibilities of universities in research funding. This has led to the creation of performance-based research funding systems in 14 countries and regions as of 2010. The oldest and most representative example is that in the United Kingdom. The UK government famously employs a dual support system to distribute its higher education research funds and safeguard the stability and development of research activities. Similarly, higher education research funding in Taiwan is provided by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science and Technology and is performance-based. Although this research funding system has enhanced the research capacity in Taiwan, it has also attracted controversy regarding its rationality. The operations and reform of the UK higher education research funding system have received attention and been replicated by other countries. Therefore, this study referenced the history of research funding in the United Kingdom to enhance research funding policies in Taiwan. Design/methodology/approach Documentary research was conducted to organize and analyze the documentary records, statistical data, and reports issued by UK governmental units. Findings 1. The functions and roles of the government must be clarified to ensure the autonomy of university research. 2. The government must enable universities to develop more diverse financial resource to fulfill the financial requirements for outstanding research development. 3. The government must assist universities in paying the indirect costs of research activities to safeguard the sustainable development of these research activities and the cultivation of talent. 4. The transparency and normativity of research funding must be improved to strengthen the supervision of civil society. 5. An effectiveness evaluation and feedback system must be established for research funding distribution, and priorities for fund usage must be reconsidered. 6. The concentration of research funds is only a short-term approach; a more macroscopic plan is required for the long-term development of research funding. Originality/value No previous studies have investigated the dual support system and performance-based research funding system in the United Kingdom and proposed suggestions to resolve the problems associated with higher education research funding in Taiwan. This study further clarified the distribution mechanism in the United Kingdom and provides a reference for strengthening related policy making in Taiwan.