You need cookies enabled to use this website.
For the current REF, see the REF 2029 website | For REF 2014, see the REF 2014 website
You need cookies enabled

Key documents

Guidance on revisions to REF 2021 (2020/02)

This document describes the revisions to the timetable for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 and the changes and additions made to the guidance to take account of the effects of COVID-19. The revised deadline for submissions is midday, 31 March 2021.

View guidance on revisions to REF 2021 (2020/02)

Guidance on submissions (REF 2019/01)

This document sets out the general framework for assessment in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) and guidance to UK higher education institutions about making submissions to REF 2021. It includes guidance on procedures, the data that will be required, and the criteria and definitions that will apply. The deadline for submissions is midday, 31 March 2021.

View the Guidance on submissions (REF 2019/01)

Panel criteria and working methods (REF 2019/02)

This document sets out the assessment criteria and working methods of the main and sub-panels for the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF).

View the Panel criteria and working methods (REF 2019/02)

Guidance on codes of practice (REF 2019/03)

This document sets out the guidance to UK higher education institutions about submitting codes of practice in REF 2021. It is published alongside the ‘guidance on submissions’, and ‘Panel criteria and working methods’.

View the Guidance on codes of practice (REF 2019/03)

Audit guidance (REF 2019/04)

This document sets out the guidance to UK higher education institutions for audit in REF 2021. It is published alongside the ‘Guidance on submissions’. It describes the approaches and methods that will be used to provide assurance that the data submitted are accurate, verifiable and robust.

View the Audit guidance (REF 2019/04)

Institutional-level environment pilot: supplementary guidance on submissions and panel criteria and working methods (2019/06)

This document sets out the guidance and criteria for the pilot of the standalone assessment of the institutional-level environment statement. The pilot assessment will be undertaken in parallel to the unit level assessment of the environment in REF 2021 and this guidance is supplementary to the ‘Guidance on submissions’ (REF 2019/01) and the ‘Panel criteria and working methods’ (REF 2019/02)

View the Institutional-level environment pilot: supplementary guidance on submissions and panel criteria and working methods (REF 2019/06)

Guidance on further contingency measures

This section provides guidance on further contingency measures for HEIs in response to the increasing effects of COVID-19 on preparing submissions to REF 2021.

View guidance on further contingency measures here

 

Additional guidance

Provides additional guidance on specific areas, including independent research fellowships, standardising quantitative indicators of impact, and using indicators in the environment statement.

View additional guidance documents

 

Guidance on excluding parts of submissions from publication

This section provides guidance for institutions wishing to exclude parts of their submissions from publication.

View further guidance here

 

Data management guidance

This section provides information on the data we will collect in the REF, how we will process the data, and the arrangements regarding personal, sensitive and confidential data. This includes a template declaration form for staff circumstances.

View data management guidance documents

 

Citation and contextual data guidance

This section provides information on the citation and contextual data that will be provided for REF 2021. It explains the service that Clarivate will provide, including the service level agreement, and provides example data for HEIs.

View Citation and contextual data guidance documents

 

Submission system data requirements

This section provides further details of the data required in submissions and will enable institutions to prepare data to import to the REF submission system.

View guidance on submission system data requirements

 

Submitting research outputs

This section provides information about submitting research outputs in electronic and physical formats.

View guidance on submitting research outputs

 

Audit guidance

This section will provide information and guidance about the arrangements for audit and verification of submissions.

 

Training and events materials

This section contains all training materials provided by the REF team and any slides and/or videos from REF webinars and events.

View additional training and events materials