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REF 2029 Resumes with Updates

  • 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.  

Further information

Today the REF team publishes:

Last updated: 10 December 2025