Engagement and Impact
In REF 2029 the impact element from REF2021 will be replaced by the Engagement and impact (25% weighting). It is similar to the impact element of REF 2014 and will consist of impact case studies and an accompanying statement.
Initial decisions include:
- A reduction in the minimum number of case studies needed for a submission
- Removal of the 2* quality threshold.
- Reintroduction of an impact narrative at the unit level
- New criteria around the rigour of engagement
In the REF initial decisions document, June 2023, the four UK funding bodies outlined proposals to reduce the minimum requirement to one impact case study for units with fewer than 9.99 FTE and to revise the boundaries.
The proposed number of Impact Case studies required in REF 2029 are outlined below however this is subject to change in Summer 2025 when Engagement and Impact Policy Expert panels meet to begin development of the guidance.
FTE of volume-contributing staff |
Required number of case studies |
Weighting of impact statement |
FTE of volume-contributing staff |
Required number of case studies |
Weighting of impact statement |
Up to 9.99 |
1 |
50% |
60 to 89.99 |
5 |
20% |
10 to 19.99 |
2 |
33.33% |
90 to 119.99 |
6 |
20% |
20 to 39.99 |
3 |
25% |
120 to 169.99 |
7 |
20% |
40 to 59.99 |
4 |
20% |
170 or more |
8, plus one further case study per additional 50 FTE |
20% |