v2026.1CASRAI Dictionary 714 entries across 20 domains · CC-BY 4.0714 entries · CC-BY 4.0

Dictionary termTrack EStablev2026.2

REF 2029

The next planned cycle of the UK Research Excellence Framework, currently scheduled with a submission deadline in 2028 and results in 2029, with substantial design changes following the Future Research Assessment Programme.

ByCASRAI Editorial Board

· Last updated 21 May 2026

Examples

Worked examples

Is an instance
An institution restructures its internal pre-submission review around the new 'People, Culture and Environment' element.
Is an instance
Departments pilot team-based output narratives in anticipation of REF 2029 guidance.

Counter-examples

Looks similar, but isn't

Not an instance
Assuming output-staff coupling identical to REF 2021 in REF 2029 strategy planning.
Not an instance
Designing internal mock REF exercises with weightings drawn from REF 2014.

Editorial commentary

REF 2029 emerges from the Future Research Assessment Programme (FRAP, 2021-2023). Key changes from REF 2021 include renaming the three elements 'Contribution to Knowledge and Understanding' (50%), 'Engagement and Impact' (25%) and 'People, Culture and Environment' (25%); decoupling outputs from individual researchers in a way that explicitly de-emphasises the link between staff and outputs; and broader recognition of research contributions including team science and a wider range of output types. Detailed guidance is being phased in through 2024-2026.

References

ref.ac.uk/2029. Research England Decisions on REF 2029 (2023). UKRI policy positions on responsible research assessment.

Also known as

REF2029

Machine-readable encodings

Use in your systems

JATS XML <role> element

xml

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      vocab-identifier="https://casrai.org/dictionary/"
      vocab-term="REF 2029"
      vocab-term-identifier="https://casrai.org/dictionary/term/ref-2029" />

Schema.org DefinedTerm (JSON-LD)

json

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  "inDefinedTermSet": "https://casrai.org/dictionary/domain/responsible-research-assessment/",
  "url": "https://casrai.org/dictionary/term/ref-2029",
  "sameAs": [
    "REF2029"
  ],
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"
}

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