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.
Latest news
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REF 2029 Timetable updated
We have updated the timetable for REF 2029 adding more detail and more specific dates. We are moving the panel meetings for the criteria setting phase from Summer 2025 to Autumn/Winter 2025-6. This will not delay the publication of the final guidance, planned for Autumn 2026.
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New REF 2029 policy on Contributions to Knowledge and Understanding released with full Code of Practice guidance
12 June 2025 We have published detailed guidance for the Contributions to Knowledge and Understanding assessment element for REF 2029, outlining important developments in how research outputs will be assessed and reflecting the framework’s evolution towards assessing the research and environment of institutions rather than individuals. We have also published the full Code of Practice…
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Final deputy chair appointments confirmed for REF 2029 sub-panels
We are pleased to confirm the appointment of deputy chairs for the remaining REF 2029 sub-panels: Sub-panel 8 (Chemistry), Sub-panel 11 (Computer Science and Informatics), Sub-panel 28 (History), and Sub-panel 31 (Theology and Religious Studies). These appointments complete the leadership teams for all 34 expert sub-panels that will guide their panels through the REF’s criteria-setting…
