Research Excellence Framework
Securing a world-class, dynamic and responsive research base across the full academic spectrum within UK higher education
The REF is the UK’s system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. It first took place in 2014 and 2021. The next exercise is planned for 2029.
What is the REF’s purpose?
- Inform the allocation of block-grant research funding to HEIs based on research quality
- Provide accountability for public investment in research and produce evidence of the benefits of this investment
- Provide insights into the health of research in HEIs in the UK
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the UK’s system for assessing the excellence of research in UK higher education institutions (HEIs). The REF outcomes are used to inform the allocation of around £2 billion per year of public funding for universities’ research. The REF is a process of expert review, carried out by sub-panels focused on subject-based units of assessment (UoAs), under the guidance of overarching main panels and advisory panels.
For the purposes of the REF, research is defined as a process of investigation leading to new insights, effectively shared.
Connect with the REF team
Latest news
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REF 2029 launches sector survey on final policy developments
The REF team has launched a sector survey to gather targeted feedback on a small number of policy areas for final development. The survey, which was announced in advance on 9 July, will remain open until 4pm on 4 September 2026. The survey follows panel criteria meetings and focuses on a limited number of areas…
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HESA amendment process to be made available for REF fields
The UK REF team, working with the four UK funding and regulatory bodies and Jisc, has agreed a process that will allow participating higher education institutions to make amendments to REF-specific fields within the 2025/26 HESA Staff record collection without being charged a fee for doing so. This will take place through a post-collection fixed…
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REF 2029 sector survey on final policy developments
The REF team will launch a short sector survey on 30 July 2026 to gather targeted feedback on a small number of policy areas for final development. The survey follows the conclusion of the current round of criteria-setting discussions with expert panels and focuses on a limited number of areas where the funding bodies are…
