UK REF 2029 — Impact Case Study
Case study of the impact beyond academia of a unit's research, assessed on reach and significance. Universities enter it in the REF Submission system; Engagement and Impact is 25% of REF 2029.
Scheme details
- Funding range
- Not a grant: REF results inform the allocation of around £2 billion a year of research funding by the four UK higher education funding bodies
- Career stage
- All career stages
- Scheme type
- Team
- Eligibility
- Submitted by UK universities for each Unit of Assessment. Impact must occur between 1 August 2020 and 31 July 2028, underpinned by the unit's research from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2028. The 2* quality threshold for that research is removed.
- Format & limits
- Summary: 100 words; Underpinning research: 600 words; Details of the impact: 1,500 words (suggested split of a hard 2,200-word limit); References to the research: up to 6; Corroborating sources: up to 10, including at most 5 individuals
- Deadline
- Upcoming Submission deadline: autumn 2028, exact date not yet published (November 2028 est.) · universities set earlier internal deadlines · Panel criteria due autumn 2026
View official scheme page
https://2029.ref.ac.uk/guidance/section-6-engagement-and-impact-guidance/
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Last updated: 2026-09-24
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