Research Excellence Framework 2021

• To provide accountability for public investment in research and produce evidence of the benefits of this investment.
• To provide benchmarking information and establish reputational yardsticks, for use within the Higher Education sector and for public information.
• To inform the selective allocation of funding for research (QR funding).

157 universities are participating in REF 2021. Over 185,000 research outputs have been submitted for assessment, and 6,700 case studies, describing specific examples of research impact, will also be reviewed. Over 76,000 staff have been returned in the exercise, which is a 46 per cent increase since REF 2014. 

For each submission three distinct elements are assessed:

• 60% - Outputs are assessed on their originality, significance and rigour
• 25% - Impacts are assessed on their reach and significance
• 15% - Environments are assessed on their vitality and sustainability

For REF 2021 100% of staff in post on the census date 31^st July 2020 who have significant responsibility for research (provided they are independent researchers) should be submitted.

Staff and outputs have been decoupled for the REF 2021 assessment each submitted member of staff is required to have a minimum of one output attributed to them and no more than five.

The number of outputs required for each submission to a Unit of Assessment (UOA) was calculated by multiplying the total FTE of staff submitted by 2.5. 

Outputs of former staff could be included in the submission, where they were produced whilst employed in a REF eligible position at that institution.

Visit REF 2021 for a full explanation of REF.