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 where the funding bodies would benefit from additional sector insight before final decisions are taken.
The survey topics cover:
- draft assessment criteria for Strategy, People and Research Environment (SPRE)
- SPRE arrangements for institutions submitting to a single Unit of Assessment (UoA)
- submitting outputs to more than one Unit of Assessment
- equality-related unit reductions
- collection of research income data
- 100-word statements for submissions to UoA 12 – Engineering
This short survey is intended to test the clarity, robustness and implementation of a small number of proposals that have emerged through the criteria-setting process. Feedback will inform the final guidance and criteria, and support publication in autumn 2026, as scheduled. The survey is not a formal consultation and does not seek wider input on the existing published REF 2029 guidance.
Feedback will help identify any ambiguities, unintended consequences or operational challenges that could materially affect submissions or assessment outcomes. The REF team encourages responses from higher education institutions, representative bodies, learned societies, and other organisations or individuals with an interest in research assessment. Responses will be used to support the final refinement of policies and guidance before publication. The funding bodies have kept the survey deliberately focused, so that feedback can be reviewed and, where needed, acted on without affecting timelines for the publication of final REF 2029 guidance in autumn 2026.
Webinar
To support engagement, the REF team will host an open webinar on Friday 31 July 2026, 11am to 12pm. The webinar will provide an overview of the proposals covered by the survey and offer participants the opportunity to ask questions. The session will be recorded, and details of how to join are available on the Get involved page.
Survey and supporting information
The full proposals and details of each question are available in the supporting information. Please read and review this to prepare your responses.
The survey is open for responses from 30 July until 4pm on 4 September 2026.
Queries can be directed to info@ref.ac.uk, which will continue to be monitored throughout the survey period.