Details of the learning and teaching support network have been published by the Higher Education Funding Council for England.
HEFCE will provide up to Pounds 6.2 million a year for three years from January 2000 for the network. Some Pounds 5.2 million a year will support 24 subject centres. The remaining Pounds 1 million a year will pay for a generic learning and teaching centre, and a programme director and coordinator. The network will be run by the Institute of Learning and Teaching.
Individual institutions can bid for up to Pounds 240,000 a year for large subject centres and Pounds 180,000 for standard centres. All higher education institutions funded by HEFCE and the equivalent bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are being invited to bid.
However, further education colleges funded directly by HEFCE are not eligible except as a junior partner to a higher education institution. Likewise, professional bodies and subject associations would need a senior partner.
HEFCE has modified its proposals for the generic learning and teaching centre and the management of the programme following a consultation held late last year. The generic centre originally intended to limit its advice to the use of new and emerging technologies; it will now cover all aspects of learning and teaching.
Meanwhile, the proposed central management unit has been superseded by a programme director and coordinator, who will be appointed by the ILT.
"The ILT's prospectus sets out that the dissemination of good practice is best achieved through individual subjects," said Cliff Allan of HEFCE. "There is a strong synergy there. Plus the HEFCE has a strategic objective to coordinate with other organisations, and this will strengthen the function of the ILT."