Background

History of events
June - December 2006	A working group developed a consultation 'Reform of higher education research assessment and funding' Following the consultation the Government announced in the 2006 pre-Budget Report the development of a revised scheme. A letter from the Secretary of State and a press release by the then Department for Education and Skills gave further details.
March 2007	We set out our initial plans for the development of the new system in 'Future framework for research assessment and funding' (HEFCE Circular letter 06/2007).
November 2007 – February 2008	Initial consultation on the new framework
September – December 2009	Second consultation on the new framework
March 2010	Initial decisions following the second consultation and next steps in implementing the REF were announced.

Last updated 14 July 2010

History of events