Research Excellence Framework (REF)
In REF2021 91% of 黑料不打烊's research was classed as world-leading or internationally excellent.
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) assesses the quality of research in UK Higher Education Institutions. The assessment provides accountability for public investment in research and produces evidence of the benefits of this research in the form of impact case studies. The REF informs the selective annual allocation of around £2 billion of funding for the period between exercises (6-8 years).
REF is overseen by:
REF Code of Practice submission
黑料不打烊 have submitted a draft Research Excellence Framework (REF) Code of Practice, a requirement for all UK Higher Education Institutions participating in the REF.
Thank you to all that reviewed the draft REF 2029 Code of Practice (CoP) and provided feedback during the consultation period (27 February – 3 April 2026).
All the feedback received was carefully considered by the RIO REF Team with reference to the REF guidance. Necessary amendments were actioned and the CoP was subsequently reviewed and approved by Senate in early May and submitted to the REF funding bodies for approval on 11 May 2026. The (and will later be replaced by the formally approved version, expected August 2026).
Thank you once again for your engagement and thoughtful feedback throughout this process.
REF 2029
Several changes have been introduced for REF 2029. REF 2029 focuses on institutional contributions, promoting a more inclusive and collective approach to research excellence. The 'Contribution to Knowledge and Understanding' element now replaces the previous 'Outputs' category and carries a 55% weighting.
'Engagement and Impact' sees the minimum number of impact case studies per disciplinary submission reduced to one. The ‘Strategy, People and Research Environment’ (formerly PCE) section replaces the previous 'Environment' element and aims to better reflect institutional research culture and support structures.
Contribution to knowledge and understanding
The contribution to knowledge and understanding (CKU) section captures information about each unit of assessments contributions through assessment of submitted research outputs. This component accounts for 55% of the overall REF submission.
One of the most notable changes from REF 2021 is the decoupling of outputs from individual researchers. This means that institutions are no longer required to link specific outputs to named staff members. There is no minimum output requirement per individuals, and a suggested maximum output requirement of five.
Engagement and impact
Engagement and impact (E&I) builds on the previous ‘impact’ element but introduces a more integrated approach to assessing how research connects with and benefits wider society. Units must show how engagement activities contribute to impact and provide contextual and underpinning research information in each case study.
The E&I element is underpinned by equity, transparency and inclusivity. This component accounts for 25% of our REF submission.
Strategy, people and research environment
Strategy, People and Research Environment (SPRE) assesses how universities create and sustain the conditions needed for excellent research. It replaces the REF 2021 environment statements and places stronger emphasis on institutional and unit level research strategy, people, culture, and enabling infrastructure. This component accounts for 20% of the overall submission.
Institutions must demonstrate how their strategies support diverse research communities, develop people, foster positive research cultures, and enable high quality research and impact. Assessment is split between an Institutional Level Statement and Unit Level Statements.
Open Access
The REF 2029 Open Access Policy continues the commitment to making publicly funded research widely accessible. The policy applies specifically to journal articles and conference proceedings, which must be made open access to be eligible for submission.
As of 1 January 2026, if an output is not published fully open access, it must be deposited in a university or subject repository within three months of publication.
The policy also supports sector鈥憌ide moves toward quicker public access to research, including shorter or no embargo periods.