- REF 2029 resumes with new policies and guidance updates
- ‘Strategy, People and Research Environment’ will build on the REF 2021 Environment component and draw on findings from the ‘People, Culture and Environment’ Pilot
- Consistency with Initial Decisions plus simplifications and retaining elements of REF 2021 will result in reduced burden for the sector
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029 is vital to supporting a UK research system that delivers knowledge and innovation with real-world impact. A key mechanism underpinning the allocation of around £2 billion annually in research funding, REF ensures accountability for public investment and provides critical insight into the health and impact of UK research.
Today’s updates follow the pause announced by UK Science Minister Lord Vallance in September and have been shaped through extensive engagement with the sector and the expert REF panel members.
With these updates, the REF panels, who represent the sector and bring diverse expertise, will begin setting the criteria and finalising the guidance for REF 2029.
REF 2029 introduces Strategy, People and Research Environment (SPRE), weighted at 20%, which will replace the previously named ‘People, Culture and Environment (PCE)’ element. It builds on the REF 2021 Environment component and is informed by the People, Culture and Environment Pilot, the report of which is being published today. Weightings for the other elements are refined to 55% for Contributions to Knowledge and Understanding (CKU) and 25% for Engagement and Impact (E&I). The funding bodies have refined these weightings having listened to the sector and considered the results of the PCE Pilot. These amended weightings demonstrate a strong commitment from the funding bodies, shared by the sector, to growing open, collaborative and resilient research environments that support people to produce excellent research whilst also recognising that a high degree of change increases burden for the sector.
To reduce burden, CKU has been simplified and clarified; the assessment of impact has been broadly retained from REF 2021 and unit-level statements have been removed from both these elements. The recommended maximum of five outputs per researcher is reinstated for clarity but to avoid pressure on individuals, the minimum of one has been removed.
In line with the Initial Decisions, outputs remain decoupled from individuals under the substantive link policy, with simplified requirements and limited portability introduced for long-form and extended-process research outputs. Also, in line with the Initial Decisions, impact case study requirements are reduced to one for the smallest units and the 2* qualifying threshold for underpinning research has been removed, while the guidance encourages discussion of engagement strategies and responsible practices in impact case studies. Templates will remain familiar and, as in REF 2021, there will be a process for small units to be optionally exempt from submissions, and eligibility for that process will be expanded.
To maintain the original timetable, there will be no formal consultation on the guidance or Panel Criteria and Working Methods. The REF Team, the funding bodies and the panels will continue engaging with the sector throughout the next stages to ensure the REF continues to have the support of the sector.
Today’s updates are outlined in more detail in a blog from REF 2029 Steering Group Deputy Chair, Helen Cross.
Vivienne Stern, Chief Executive of Universities UK (UUK), said:
“The REF is central to the strength of UK university research. It provides a systematic assessment not only of the quality of research outputs, but also of their wider impact and the environments – including the support for people – that make excellent research possible.
We strongly welcome this pragmatic approach, which shows that the four UK funding bodies have listened carefully to researchers and universities. This matters because university research shapes our daily lives, and the REF helps funders target investment where it will drive the next generation of discoveries.”
Rebecca Fairbairn, REF 2029 Director, said:
“REF 2029 is a framework built with and for the sector. It values dynamic environments, drawn from the diversity of ideas, institutions, people, methodologies, outputs and activities of research excellence across all four nations. It champions collaboration and engagement, making research more relevant to communities and society. Thank you to everyone who contributed to shaping this future-focused approach.”
During the pause, the REF team and the four UK higher education funding bodies have consolidated insight from summer engagements and worked closely with the REF Panels. The changes confirmed today represent an effective way to incentivise excellence and align with government ambitions for research and innovation across the four nations. This collaborative process has ensured the REF is grounded in operational realities and responsive to the rapidly changing context for higher education.
Panels for the Research Excellence Framework 2029 (REF 2029) will begin meeting in early 2026 to set criteria and an Institutional-Level Working Group for Strategy, People, and Research Environment will be established.
Further information
Today the REF team publishes:
- Updates to Contributions to Knowledge and Understanding (CKU) guidance
- Strategy, People and Research Environment (SPRE) guidance
- Engagement and Impact (E&I) guidance
- An updated Timetable
- Updated Code of Practice guidance including update to the submission windows
- The People, Culture and Environment Pilot report. (The Indicators report has also been published by Technopolis and Vitae.)
For opportunities to hear more visit Get Involved.