Each section of the guidance shows the date it was published. If we have made any changes to a policy these will be listed in a change log for that policy. You’ll find a link to the change policy at the end of each policy.
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Contents
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Section 1 – Overview
- Introduction
- Overview of the assessment framework
- Development of REF 2029
- Key changes for REF 2029
- Aims and objectives for REF 2029
- Guiding principles
- Sector priorities
- Assessment process
- Structure of submissions
- REF outcomes
- Eligibility to participate in REF 2029
- Equalities legislation
- Timetable for REF 2029
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Section 3 – Volume Measure guidance
- Overview
- Introduction
- Key changes in REF 2029
- The volume measure
- Technical detail
- Eligible contracts
- Codes of Practice (CoP)
- Identifying contracts with Significant Responsibility for Research (SRR)
- Processes for identifying contracts with research independence (RI)
- Volume measure contributing contracts diagram
- Variations
- Allocating eligible contracts to UoAs
- Demonstrating the association of eligible contracts with a UoA
- Audit
- Amendments to the HESA record
- Volume measure contributing contracts diagram
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Section 5 – Open Access policy
- What this policy covers
- Introduction
- Summary
- Key terms and definitions
- Technical requirements – outputs published 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2025
- Exceptions to the open access requirements 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2025
- Technical requirements – outputs published from 1 January 2026
- Permitted exceptions from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028
- Audit
- Change log
- Change log – Section 5 – Open Access policy
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Section 8 – Code of Practice guidance
- Overview
- Policy context
- Codes of practice and the People, Culture and Environment assessment element
- CoP guidance publication and approval schedule
- Approval
- Approach
- Audit and assurance
- Queries
- Guidance for volume measure elements of CoP
- Implications of calculating the volume measure across multiple years
- CoP structure
- Key requirements for REF 2029 Code of Practice
- CoP template