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The Research Excellence Framework: Definition, Meaning & Examples | CASRAI

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the United Kingdom's national system for assessing the quality of research in higher education institutions. It replaced the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) and first ran in 2014, followed by REF 2021, with the next exercise scheduled as REF 2029. The REF underpins the allocation of billions of pounds of quality-related (QR) research funding and shapes how UK universities manage, plan, and report their research.

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What the REF is and its history

The Research Excellence Framework is the UK's mechanism for assessing the quality of research produced by higher education institutions, the results of which inform the distribution of public research funding. It is conducted on behalf of the four UK funding bodies, with Research England leading on behalf of the others. The REF succeeded the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), which last ran in 2008. The first REF was carried out in 2014, the second in 2021, and the next exercise is planned as REF 2029. Each cycle assesses research over the preceding period, making the REF a recurring, high-stakes feature of the UK research landscape.

The three elements and their weightings

REF submissions are assessed against three elements. Outputs are the research products themselves — journal articles, books, datasets, and other forms — judged on originality, significance, and rigour. Impact captures the demonstrable effects of research beyond academia, on the economy, society, culture, policy, health, or the environment, evidenced through impact case studies. Environment assesses the vitality and sustainability of the research environment, including strategy, infrastructure, and support for researchers. In REF 2021 these elements were weighted 60% for Outputs, 25% for Impact, and 15% for Environment. The relatively high weight on Impact reflected its growing importance since it was introduced as a formal element in REF 2014 — a defining feature distinguishing the REF from the earlier RAE.

Units of Assessment and star ratings

Institutions submit their research in Units of Assessment (UoAs) — subject-based groupings such as a particular discipline or cluster of disciplines — each assessed by an expert sub-panel of academics and research users. This panel-based peer review is central to the REF's methodology. Submitted material is graded on a five-point quality scale: 4* (quality that is world-leading), 3* (internationally excellent), 2* (recognised internationally), 1* (recognised nationally), and unclassified (falls below the standard or is ineligible). The profile of star ratings across a submission determines how it contributes to funding.

QR funding, open access, and REF 2029

The REF's primary practical consequence is the allocation of quality-related (QR) research funding. This is block-grant funding distributed by the four UK funding bodies — Research England (in England) and its counterparts in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland — to institutions based on the quality and volume profile of their REF results. QR forms one half of the UK's dual-support funding system, alongside competitive project grants from the research councils. To be eligible, many in-scope outputs must comply with the REF open-access policy, generally requiring deposit in a repository. Looking ahead, REF 2029 places greater emphasis on People, Culture, and Environment — broadening assessment of the research environment and how institutions support researchers and a healthy research culture — alongside the continued assessment of outputs and impact.

Key facts

At a glance

Definition: The UK's national assessment of research quality in higher education
History: Replaced the RAE; first ran 2014, then 2021, next is REF 2029
Elements: Outputs, Impact, Environment (60/25/15 weighting in REF 2021)
Structure: Submissions organised into Units of Assessment, reviewed by expert panels
Ratings: 4* / 3* / 2* / 1* / unclassified
Consequence: Allocation of quality-related (QR) funding by Research England and partner bodies

Common misconceptions

What people often get wrong

Often heard: The REF is mainly a ranking of universities.

Actually: No — the REF assesses the quality of research and produces profiles that inform QR funding allocation. League tables are derived from REF results by third parties, but ranking institutions is not the exercise's purpose, which is funding allocation and accountability.

Often heard: The REF judges research only on publications.

Actually: No — Outputs are one of three elements. The REF also assesses Impact (effects beyond academia, via case studies) and Environment (the vitality and sustainability of the research setting), which together carried 40% of the weight in REF 2021.

Often heard: The REF and the RAE are the same exercise under a new name.

Actually: No — the REF replaced the RAE and introduced significant changes, most notably the formal assessment of Impact, which did not feature in the RAE. The name change in 2014 reflected this broadened scope.

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