Research Excellence Framework (REF 2029)
The UK Joint Funding Bodies published Initial Decisions in June 2023 on the upcoming REF exercise. In September 2029 the Joint UK Funding Bodies announced a 3 month Pause in REF which was followed by an announcement on 10 December 2025. At the time of the announcement the Joint UK Funding Bodies identified the key updates on the REF 2029 exercise along with updated guidance. Key points from the announcement include:
- 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 are published today.
- Weightings for the other elements of the REF 2029 exercise are refined to 55% for Contributions to Knowledge and Understanding (CKU) and 25% for Engagement and Impact (E&I). 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. Institutions can exceed the maximum with an explanation in their SPRE statement, ensuring flexibility for different circumstances.
- 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.
- 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.
- Updated Code of Practice (CoP) guidance published. An additional (final) submission slot was added and will run from 11 May to midday on 15 May 2026. QMU will submit their REF 2029 CoP at this point. A staff consultation on the REF 2029 CoP took place from 5 – 20 March 2026. See our staff consultation on the draft CoP.
- An updated REF 2029 Timetable has been published but the submission to REF 2029 remains the same (Autumn 2028) with publication of results planned for December 2029.
Contacts
QMU REF2029 - QMUREF2028@qmu.ac.uk
REF 2029 Academic Lead - Professor Jim Scobbie - jscobbie@qmu.ac.uk
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