Rachel Ward contributes to the University's Research and Knowledge Exchange Strategy key aim to significantly increase research grant and contract income, by facilitating the development of research grant applications, consultancy, Continued Professional Development (CPD) and contract work.
Rachel acts as a key point of contact for staff seeking external funding and provides expert advice on project planning to ensure the final project meets the requirements of the funding agency within the required timescales.

Rachel makes collaborative decisions with Finance to prepare proposals for external grants and contracts according to Full Economic Costs (FEC) and to adopt an appropriate cost for the work being undertaken.

Rachel specialises in the submission of the annual HE-BCI Survey on behalf of the university.