REF 2029 Timeline
The REF external timetable provides UK wide milestones in REF2029, internal information is listed below.
2021
Output eligibility
The eligibility period for outputs has yet to be confirmed, it is likely that outputs published between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2028 will be eligible for inclusion in REF 2029.
Exact dates to be confirmed when final REF 2029 guidance is published.
2022
REF 2021 results published
2023
May to June 2023
UOA Executive Panel meetings
Review meetings to discuss REF 2028 Impact Case Study (ICS) submissions for each UOA, attended by UOA leads and representatives from the Research Excellence Board (REB).
June 2023
Initial decisions published and issues for further consultation advised
The four UK higher education funding bodies (Research England, SFC, HEFCW and DfE NI) published key decisions on the high-level design of the next research assessment exercise and outlined issues for further consultation.
A survey was issued by Research England on behalf of the four UK funding bodies. requesting input on specific policy aspects.
An internal consultation process was carried out to develop a formal University response to the consultation.
September 2023
Deadline for input to the institutional response to the Future Research Assessment Programme (FRAP) consultation on the initial decisions - 12 September 2023
UK REF team launch of commissioned work and invitation to comment on the assessment of People, Culture and Environment.
October 2023
Deadline for input to the REF 2028 consultation survey - 6 October 2023
October/November 2023
UOA Executive Panel meetings
Review meetings to discuss the People, Culture and Environment submission for each UOA, attended by UOA leads and representatives from the Research Excellence Board (REB).
UK REF Team launch of Open Access consultation
December 2023
UK REF team's deadline to comment on the assessment of People, Culture and Environment - 1 December 2023
UK REF Team published further decisions on REF 2028 - 7 December 2023
The results of the consultation were published with the key decision that there is an extension to the timing for the next REF exercise. The next REF will be REF 2029 (as opposed to the original planned date of 2028) with results published in December 2029.
The consultation results do not include REF's work on people, culture and environment. Further information on this area is expected in January 2024.
Further details on the updated position of the REF team can be found on the REF 2029 website
2024
February to June 2024
Research Output External Calibration Exercise
The aim of this exercise is to support Schools in honing their ability to allocate star ratings to their outputs, to distinguish the boundaries between ratings, by using external reviewers you are requested to nominate as comparators.
Additionally, given the increasing focus on research culture in REF2029, and more broadly, this exercise will provide a valuable opportunity to:
- explore and refine School/Department’s internal processes of scoring and assessment,
- examine potential unconscious bias when making research quality judgements,
- give colleagues experience and feedback on reviewing for REF purposes,
- address misuse of indicators and metrics and encourage best practice in peer review ahead of the REF exercise.
March 2024
REF team publishes People, Culture and Environment (PCE) update and announces workshops for PCE indicators project.
May 2024
UK REF team launch recruitment call for members of the REF 2029 advisory panels.
- People and Diversity Advisory Panel (PDAP)
- Research Diversity Advisory Panel (RDAP)
October to November 2024
UOA Executive Panel meetings
Review meetings to discuss the progress of the submission for each UOA, attended by UOA leads and representatives from the Research Excellence Board (REB).
2025
Internal
June 2025
UoA Panel guidance circulated.
UoA leads will be provided with the necessary information and guidance to help them prepare for the autumn meetings.
July 2025
UoA Independence.
UoA leads will be provided with the independence information prior to the HESA 2024-2025 REF Pilot submission.
Town Halls to get an overview of the guidance and put your questions to the REF team.
- Codes of Practice on Tuesday, 8th July 2025 1pm - 2pm
- Contributions to Knowledge and Understanding on Tuesday, 15th July 2025, 1pm - 2pm
You can sign up at: https://2029.ref.ac.uk/about/how-to-get-involved/#town-halls
18 September to 12 November 2025
UoA Executive Panel meetings
Review meetings to discuss the progress of the submission for each UoA, attended by UoA leads and representatives from the Research Excellence Board (REB).
External
Summer 2025
Guidance will be released for:
- Contribution to Knowledge and Understanding Policy (CKU)
- Associated Codes of Practice Guidance (CoP)
- Engagement and Impact Policy
- Expert panels meet to begin development of guidance
2026
June to July 2026
REF discussion meetings
Informal discussion meetings reviewing volume data for the HESA submission by UOA leads and representatives from the REF strategy Group.
October to November 2026
UOA Executive Panel meetings
Review meetings to discuss the progress of the submission for each UOA, attended by UOA leads and representatives from the Research Excellence Board (REB).
2027
Jan to May 2027
Selection of outputs for the submitable pool
Further review and metadata checking of the outputs identified as potentially submitable for each UOA.
May to June 2027
UOA Executive Panel meetings
Review meetings to discuss the progress of the submission for each UOA, attended by UOA leads and representatives from the Research Excellence Board (REB).
September to November 2027
UOA Executive Panel meetings
Review meetings to discuss the progress of the submission for each UOA, attended by UOA leads and representatives from the Research Excellence Board (REB).
2028
Jan to Apr 2028
Finalising selection of outputs for submission
Submission output identification in Pure, metadata checking and physical copy collection or OA status confirmation of the outputs to be submitted for each UOA.
May to June 2028
UOA Executive Panel meetings
Pre-submission meetings to review all submission content including final drafts of narrative elements for each UOA, attended by UOA leads and representatives from the Research Excellence Board (REB).
September 2028
UOA submission sign-off
UOA leads to check and confirm the final make up of their submission for RIS data verification and sign off by REB and the REF strategy group.
Submission Deadline (tbc) end of 2028
Deadline for submissions.
2029
End of 2029
Publication of results