Research Excellence Framework

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the system for assessing the quality of research produced by UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). While various assessment exercises have occurred since the 1980s to inform block research grant allocations to HEIs, the first REF occurred in 2014 and then again in 2021. The next REF is planned for 2029.

The purpose of REF 2029 is to:

• 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

Each REF has had slight differences, with universities having to interpret and apply the guidance that is published by the UK REF Team. In brief, research is graded on a scale of 1*-4* with U for content failing to meet the criteria or minimum requirements. Three elements are assessed: 

• Contribution to Knowledge and Understanding (known as Outputs in 2021)
• Engagement and Impact (known as Impact in 2021)
• Strategy, People and Research Environment (known as Environment in 2021)

For the first time, the UK REF Team are releasing guidance in a modular fashion with significant pieces of detail being added later. Please refer to the REF 2029 website each time to make certain the most up to date version is being used. A change log for each module is available to easily see which changes have been made between releases. To find more information about the REF, visit the REF 2029 website.