The Research Excellence Framework 2021 is to be postponed ¡°until further notice¡±?amid the coronavirus crisis.

In a letter on 24 March, Kim Hackett, REF director at Research England, says?that the UK-wide audit of research outputs will be postponed to allow institutions to divert staff into other areas, ¡°including for those working in clinical and health-related fields".

¡°We wish to reassure institutions that such activities should be prioritised without concern for the effect on REF preparations,¡± says Ms Hackett, adding that Research England was ¡°putting the exercise on hold until further notice to enable this, and are now working on the adapted details of the framework.¡±

In practice, this means that the original submission deadline on 27 November 2020 ¡°will no longer apply¡±, her letter explains.

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¡°We will announce a new submission deadline no later than eight months prior to the deadline,¡± it adds, also confirming that the current REF census date of 31 July 2020 would remain unchanged.

However, Research England will ensure that ¡°full allowance is made for the impact of coronavirus across affected areas of submissions¡±, the letter says.

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Ms Hackett explains that Research England is ¡°at an early stage of understanding the full impact on universities as they respond to calls to support the national effort in the face of COVID-19¡±, but would consult about changing the REF ¡°when we have greater clarity about the period of serious disruption to universities.¡±

¡°We will aim for the consultation activity to be as light touch as possible, in view of these challenging times,¡±?Ms Hackett says.

She adds that the 3 April deadline for nominations to the expert panels no longer applies and that nominations may ¡°continue to be made until further notice.¡±

?jack.grove@timeshighereducation.com