Submissions guidance
The deadline for submissions to the REF from UK higher education institutions is 29 November 2013.
This page provides an outline of the guidance and procedures for making submissions.
Key guidance documents
'Assessment framework and guidance on submissions' (REF 02.2011) provides an overview of the REF assessment framework and guidance to institutions on preparing their submissions. It includes guidance on procedures, the data requirements and definitions that apply in making submissions.
Panel criteria and working methods (REF 01.2012) sets out how the REF panels will assess submissions, and includes further guidance on the information required in textual parts of submissions.
Slides providing a summary of the assessment framework, guidance on submissions and panel criteria will be available shortly.
Supplementary guidance
A list of import requirements and output information shows data requirements for REF import files, import file templates, and data requirements for different types of research outputs.
REF frequently asked questions (FAQs) are available. Additional questions will be added at regular intervals.
The process for gathering citation information for REF 2014 is available, detailing the technical approach taken for the implementation of citation data within the REF submission system.
Further supplementary guidance relating to submission requirements and procedures will be published, including the following:
- A brief guide to the REF for research 'users' (March 2012)
- Details about HESA data and other sources of 'income-in-kind' data, to be used in the REF (June 2012)
- Data verification and audit procedures (June 2012)
- Data protection arrangements, including a model staff data collection notice (June 2012)
- Arrangements for collecting research outputs (November 2012)
Making submissions
Institutions will make submissions through an online system that is currently being developed. The timetable for release of the submission system is as follows:
| Timetable | |
|---|---|
| October 2011 | Technical guidance on importing data to the system |
| September 2012 | Pilot of REF submissions system available to all HEIs Technical guidance on use of the system |
| October - December 2012 | Survey of submissions intentions |
| January 2013 | Launch of submissions system |
| 29 November 2013 | Deadline for submissions |
Institutional contacts
Each institution has two designated REF contacts:
- A main contact: to act as the primary point of contact between the institution and the REF team on all updates and enquires relating to REF policies and guidelines. Their details are available on our searchable contact list.
- A technical contact: to act as the institution's main contact with the REF team regarding the REF software and system support. To find out who the technical contact is for your institution please contact your institution's main REF contact.
The REF team held briefing events for REF contacts during September 2011. The next round of briefing events for REF contacts will be held in May 2012. Details will be sent to REF contacts in due course.
Last updated 30 January 2012