Last updated: 6 May 2025
As part of the initial decisions the funding bodies announced their intention to increase focus on the assessment of the conditions that are an essential feature of research excellence through the submission of disciplinary and institutional statements relating to research culture and environment.
REF 2029 will require institutions to submit a structured statement, which will draw on outcomes-focused indicators to provide evidence of the effectiveness of their research strategies. This will include indicators of excellent research culture and environment.
These pilot indicators have been co-developed in collaboration with the sector through two interconnected projects:
Read more about the pilot:
The PCE timetable gives an outline of the different stages of the programme.
Research England has published a blog by their Executive Chair Professor Dame Jessica Corner on how REF 2029 offers a chance to recognise the environments that shape research excellence and ensure the UK’s system supports talent, innovation and impact.