Jisc is writing to UK universities to outline proposed refinements to the organisation's funding model.
Since the publication of Sir Alan Wilson's review of Jisc in February 2011 it has enhanced its integration with the sector to deliver products and services developed around its needs. With the balance of higher education funding moving from grants to subscriptions, Jisc funding needs to evolve similarly. The changes mean that Jisc's existing subscription model for the Janet network will be refined, with the proposed change coming into effect from the start of the academic year 2014-15.
This will ensure that universities continue to benefit from a world class research and education network, negotiated rich and up-to-date online collections, best practice advice on many different areas and targeted research and development.
Each year Jisc saves the sectors it serves around £260 million - three times its operating costs - in direct savings and cost avoidance, in effect saving each individual institution many times its own subscription. In addition to these efficiencies, Jisc will minimise the impact of the shift by creating the largest VAT cost sharing group in the UK meaning that institutions will not pay VAT on future Jisc subscriptions.
