ABSTRACT
The process of resource allocation, at whatever level, can be a very contentious issue in many sectors and HE is no exception. The dictionary definition of to ‘allocate’ is to ‘apportion’ or ‘share’ and the allocation process, therefore, entails dividing the overall resource available between different entities, in this case HEIs. The allocation principle is not in itself contentious but resources are always limited and demand for resources will always exceed their supply. Therefore, whatever methodology is devised for allocating resources, there will inevitably be perceived ‘winners’ and ‘losers’. In this last respect, the methodology for allocating research funding in the sector has been the subject of a particularly vigorous debate, as will be considered later.
