BUSINESS PLAN MARSHALL AID COMMEMORATION COMMISSION. March 2016

Transcription

1 BUSINESS PLAN MARSHALL AID COMMEMORATION COMMISSION March 2016

2 FOREWORD The Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission Act was passed by the British Parliament in 1953 in order to express gratitude to the American people for the post-war support and assistance conceived by Secretary of State George C Marshall, now known as the Marshall Plan. The Parliamentary Act created postgraduate Scholarships in the United Kingdom for American students with the potential to excel in their chosen fields of study and future careers. The Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission s mission is to strengthen UK-US relations and to promote British influence in the United States by providing Marshall Scholarships to young Americans who will become the leaders, opinion formers and decision makers of tomorrow. We look for the best and brightest based on three criteria (set out on our website) academic merit, leadership and ambassadorial potential. As alumni of British Universities and members of the community during their stay in Britain, Marshall Scholars create lasting bridges between the United States and the United Kingdom and become advocates for greater depth and breadth of interaction, co-operation and mutual understanding between the two countries. They also participate in activities which make them effective spokespeople for the best in British society and education and once they have completed their studies, continue to support the furtherance of international co-operation in the spirit of the Marshall Plan. The programme is funded by HM Government through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and is administered in Britain by the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission and in the United States by the British Embassy in Washington DC, and the Consulates-General in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. HRH Prince of Wales is Honorary Patron of the Association of Marshall Scholars. In addition to funds from HMG the Commission has established partnership arrangements with many British Universities and also secured a number of privately funded Scholarships. In total these arrangements enable the Commission to award some 7-10 additional Scholarships each year. This Business Plan should be read in conjunction with the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission s Corporate Plan

3 MEMBERS OF THE MARSHALL AID COMMEMORATION COMMISSION (AS OF 1 APRIL 2016) Mr Christopher Fisher (Chair) Professor Richard Dendy Ms Eliza Hermann Dr Ruth Kosmin (Deputy Chair) Ms Janet Legrand Professor Simon Newman

4 THE MARSHALL AID COMMEMORATION COMMISSION S PRIORITIES: To strengthen the cultural, economic, trade, personal and historic ties between the US and the UK by using the Marshall Scholarships to: 1. Offer the most prestigious UK-wide Scholarship for the best US graduates 2. Attract the US graduates with the greatest potential as scholars, leaders, and contributors to strengthened UK / US ties reflecting a diverse US society 3. Ensure Scholars are placed in a variety of excellent universities and courses and have a UK experience that significantly enhances their careers and lives 4. Help foster lifelong, mutually beneficial links between Scholars and the UK 5. Run a sustainably funded Scholarship programme 6. Remain well-governed and cost-effective, benefitting from substantial volunteer time in both the UK and US

5 1. Offer the most prestigious UK-wide Scholarship for the best US graduates Actions 1.1 Ensure that the Scholarship programme remains fit-for-purpose and continues to attract and select excellent Scholars. Start End March 1.2 Develop our communication activities to further strengthen the Marshall brand and to continue to attract future leaders. This includes maintaining and improving the website for to help better promote the Scholarship. January 1.3 Maintain and enhance use of US media in collaboration with the Embassy and the Consulates On-going 1.4 Develop a Social Media campaign in collaboration with the Embassy January 1.5 Produce films that promote the Marshall Scholarships April 2016 January 2. Attract the US graduates with the greatest potential as scholars, leaders, and contributors to strengthened UK / US ties reflecting a diverse US society Actions 2.1 Ensure that the published criteria for selection are applied consistently and fairly. Continue to develop a process which ensures fairness and equality. 2.2 Work with British Consulates and Embassy and the AMS on outreach to US Universities and ethnic minority groups such as the Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities 2.3 Develop and Co-ordinate an alumni speakers programme which will allow alumni to speak to students at US Universities about their research and their experiences in the UK. Start End November 2016 On-going September 2016

6 2.4 Provide additional support to regional selection committees by providing online unconscious bias training, and collation of committee best practices 2.5 Continue a review of the US based selection process in partnership with British diplomats and US volunteers in the USA. September 2016 December Ensure Scholars are placed in a variety of excellent universities and courses and have a UK experience that significantly enhances their careers and lives Actions Start End 3.1 Ensure that each Scholar receives proper guidance and advice when selecting an institution. Support second year choices with strong academic advising March 3.2 Ensure stipends avoid the risk of hardship for Scholars On-going 3.3 Promote the Marshall Plus programme which includes a portfolio of memberships associations that Scholars can join whilst in the UK and also a series of lectures and visits. January 3.5 Ensure MACC representatives speak at the National Association of Fellowship Advisors (NAFA) workshops July 2016 and Conferences. 3.6 Organise Study Tour of Marshall Partner Universities in the UK for NAFA members. June Help foster lifelong, mutually beneficial links between Scholars and the UK Actions 4.1 Work with Embassy, Consulates and the AMS to maintain the vibrant network of Scholars acting as ambassadors in the US. Develop better communication between Scholars and the British Government 4.2 Develop opportunities for Marshall Scholars to give back. For example Marshall Alumni Speakers Programme 4.3 Highlight successful Marshall Scholars to all stakeholders including the FCO. In particular Scholars in influential positions and Scholars who donate large sums to the UK. Start April 2016 April 2016 End On-going January On-going

7 5. Run a sustainably funded Scholarship programme Actions 5.1 Maintain dialogue with Government emphasising the need for at least flat cash and demonstrate the issues arising from a decreasing budget. 5.2 Work with the FCO to identify new partners from the private sector. Encourage the FCO to combine the Chevening and Marshall Scholarships in the bid for funding. 5.3 Sustain and increase the number of Partnership institutions and funding at existing institutions. Work with the partner institutions such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and UK Universities to ensure continued support of these partnerships. Continue to visit the Marshall partner universities to encourage funding. Attend NIH and EPA events where possible. Meet with NIH and EPA representatives before the Ambassador s Advisory Council. Start End October 2016 March On-going 6. Remain well-governed and cost-effective, benefitting from substantial volunteer time in both the UK and US Actions Start End 6.1 Continue to appoint Commissioners and Selection Committee members who are willing to give freely of April 2016 their time and skills in order to support and enhance the programme. 6.2 Continuously look for opportunities to further improve the cost-effectiveness of the Programme. On-going

8 MACC EXPENDITURE This section sets out the MACC s planned expenditure in 2016/17, as agreed with the FCO: / /17 (forecast outturn) Planned Expenditure 2, ,059 2 Grant in Aid 2,000 2,000 Taxpayers Equity: Opening Balance Taxpayers Equity: Closing Balance These figures include 32 new Scholars starting in 2016/17. The Taxpayers Equity is within the range determined by the MACC s Reserves Policy. The 2016/17 Grant in Aid will be drawn down in the following tranches: 1 April , June , September , December , March 110, Up to 156,000 covered by drawing down from MACC reserves. 2 Up to 59,000 covered by drawing down from MACC reserves. 3 This figure will be adjusting according to the amount claimed by the British Embassy and seven Consulates-General.

9 Administration Costs (including VAT) 61% Direct Commission Costs 1% 1% IT Costs 8% 90% 2% Direct Scholar Costs 27% Partnership Contributions (related to direct Scholar costs) US Interview Costs

10 Indicative Budget Allocation by Item 2016/17 Stipends 784,725 Tuition Fees 703,037 Application Fees 1,000 Research Support Grant 12,000 Disability Grant 5,000 Study Travel Grant 13,250 Thesis Grant 9,500 Book Allowance 13,365 Scholars to/from USA 34,250 Scholar Visas +NHS Tariff 22,402 Orientation costs 25,000 Compassionate Fares 900 Freight 17,250 Daily Travel 24,840 Other Scholars costs (discretional) 3,500 Other Course costs (discretional) 2,000 Scholar Skills enhancement/marshall Plus 5,000 US Interview Costs 30,000 US Committee Costs 25,000 Commission Entertaining 2,000 Commission Travel /Subsist 14,125 Commissioner training & development 0 AMS Development 0 Scholar trips 19,500 Miscellaneous 3,000 Admin Fee 229,631 Stationery 500 Printing 9,000 Photocopying 1,700 Postage/Tel/Fax 3,000 Internet charges 100 Events-Promoting Public Diplomacy/Marshall Plus 17,000 Audit Fee 4,500 Bank Charges 550 Infrastructure development/implementation 23,000 2,059,625 Benefits received from Partnership Agreements 784,633

11 Open Data As laid out in the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission s Publication Scheme 4 the MACC has made the following data available: Class of Information Type of Data Location Who we are and what we do Marshall Aid Commemoration Act and Administrative Regulations Other key data Biographies of all Commission Members and Secretariat Staff Other key data Location and contact details Other key data What we spend and how we spend it Audited Annual Accounts Input data Transparency data: spend over 25,000 Input data Corporate Plan and Business Plan Impact/input data What our priorities are and how we are doing Annual Report Impact data Scholarship Competition Statistics (annual) Impact data Historical US Institution data Impact data How we make decisions MACC Meeting Minutes Other key data Available upon request Scholarship Competition Criteria Other key data Rules for Candidates Other key data Our policies and procedures Management Statement and Financial Memorandum Other key data Anti-Fraud Policy Other key data Code of Conduct for Marshall Commissioners Other key data Gifts and Hospitality Policy Other key data Travel Policy Other key data Lists and Registers Register of Interests Other key data Available upon request Risk Register Other key data Available upon request 4

12 The Services we offer Guidance for Scholarship Advisors and Recommenders Other key data Guidance on studying in the UK Other key data FAQ s Other key data