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Research Further

The Research Further initiative was established collaboratively by Association of Colleges and NCFE in 2021, with the aim to support, drive and encourage college-centred research that can help influence policy and practice.

Scholars receive financial support towards their tuition fees, and are part of a supportive community of peers with regular meetings and support from AoC. The topics they are investigating currently range from the financial health of the sector to CPD and subject-specific pedagogy.

The work carried out by the scholars throughout their time with Research Further is disseminated through a webinar series, and new knowledge on pedagogy or policy is shared with the sector through think-pieces, reports, articles and blogs.

The work of Research Further is supported by a high calibre advisory board, consisting of representatives from awarding organisations, funders, and sector leaders from across the UK. The board advises on research themes and the selection of scholars that will be supported.

In the first year of the programme, 11 FE practitioners were appointed to undertake post-graduate research in an area where evidence is currently lacking. In early 2023, Research Further was joined by two additional funders, ETF and Edge, which allowed for five additional scholars to join the cohort. Additional support from the AoC Charitable Trust meant we were able to recruit three scholars over summer 2025.

Become a Research Further scholar

Thank you to everyone who submitted a funding application. The application window is now closed, and we are currently reviewing all submissions. We will be in touch with applicants in due course.

Unfortunately we are not receiving any more applications to become a Research Further scholar at this time.

For any questions, get in touch with  research@aoc.co.uk.

Research unit