The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029 has formally resumed its development process after the sector wide pause announced last year, with UK funding bodies confirming a refined assessment structure and a renewed timetable.
The UK Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a government assessment of the quality of research carried out in UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), performed in 7-year cycles. The update provides long awaited clarity for universities and research units across health and science disciplines, many of which had paused internal planning pending further guidance.
About the Research Excellence Framework (REF)
The pause, introduced in 2025, allowed the funding bodies to review concerns raised by institutions about the proposed assessment model. With the review now complete, the REF team has confirmed that criteria setting has restarted and that the overall direction of travel remains consistent with earlier decisions, albeit with several adjustments designed to reduce burden and improve transparency.
A central change is the introduction of the Strategy, People and Research Environment (SPRE) element, weighted at 20%, which replaces the previously proposed People, Culture and Environment (PCE) component. SPRE builds on the REF 2021 environment template while incorporating insights from the People, Culture and Environment Pilot. The funding bodies have refined weightings for the other elements to 55% for Contributions to Knowledge and Understanding (CKU) and 25% for Engagement and Impact (E&I). The revised structure aims to highlight a strong commitment to fostering open, collaborative and resilient research environments and supporting staff development in the midst of increased burden for the sector.
For health related disciplines where research environments often span universities, NHS organisations and industry partners, the emphasis on people and culture remains particularly significant. Institutions will be expected to demonstrate how they support research careers, foster inclusive environments and sustain high quality research infrastructures. These themes align closely with ongoing national discussions about clinical academic capacity, protected research time and equitable career pathways.
Importantly, the overall REF timetable remains unchanged, with submissions due in autumn 2028. To maintain the original timetable, REF have announced there will be no formal consultation on the guidance or Panel Criteria and Working Methods, however sector engagement will continue, allowing universities to contribute feedback as criteria are refined.
This stability enables institutions to restart planning for outputs, impact case studies and environment statements. For clinical and biomedical researchers, this includes revisiting impact trajectories, strengthening interdisciplinary collaborations and ensuring that research contributions from joint NHS–university staff are appropriately captured.
REF 2029 continues to play a central role in shaping the UK’s research landscape, driving policy change and ensuring investment in research is allocated fairly and transparently. With the process now back in motion, UK universities can continue to produce world leading research with confidence as they prepare for the next national assessment.
