Last updated on October 24, 2025
No, research outputs submitted to REF2028 must comply with open access requirements for journal articles and conference proceedings. Exceptions exist but are limited and must be justified under specific conditions.
Open Access or Closed Doors? The REF2028 Reality
In the UK’s academic landscape, the Research Excellence Framework (REF) is more than just a performance review—it’s a national ritual. Every few years, universities submit their finest research to be assessed for quality, impact, and funding potential. But for REF2028 (now officially REF2029), there’s a clear message: if your research isn’t open, it might not be welcome.
Open access has become a cornerstone of UK research policy. The idea is simple: publicly funded research should be publicly available. But the implementation is anything but casual. Since REF2021, the UK’s higher education funding bodies have required journal articles and conference proceedings to be open access to qualify for submission. REF2029 builds on this foundation with updated rules and tighter expectations.
The Policy in Practice
According to the REF2029 Open Access Policy, journal articles and conference contributions published between 2021 and 2028 must meet specific open access criteria to be eligible for submission. This includes deposit in an institutional or subject repository and licensing that allows free public access. The preferred license is Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY), though other licenses with similar openness are acceptable.
The policy also introduces a post-publication deposit window of three months, replacing the previous one-month requirement. This gives institutions more flexibility while maintaining the goal of timely public access.
Exceptions and Tolerances
Not every output will meet the open access criteria, and REF2029 acknowledges that. Institutions are allowed a small percentage of non-compliant outputs—typically up to 5% per submission unit. Additionally, exceptions may be granted for reasons such as technical failures, legal restrictions, or personal circumstances like parental leave or illness.
However, these exceptions must be documented and justified. High use of exceptions can trigger audit scrutiny, and institutions are expected to manage compliance proactively. The REF team has made it clear: exceptions are not loopholes—they’re safeguards for genuine cases.
Longform Publications: A Future Mandate
While journal articles and conference papers are firmly under the open access umbrella, longform outputs—like monographs and book chapters—are not yet mandated for REF2029. The funding bodies have signaled that open access for these formats will be required in the next REF cycle, starting no earlier than January 2029. For now, institutions are encouraged to make longform outputs open where possible, but it’s not a submission requirement.
UKRI Alignment and Funding Support
The REF2029 policy aligns closely with the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Open Access Policy. Outputs that meet UKRI’s requirements are automatically considered compliant for REF submission. UKRI also provides block grants and dedicated funds to support open access publishing, helping institutions cover costs and manage transitions.
Publish Wisely, Submit Strategically
For researchers aiming to contribute to REF2029, the message is clear: plan for open access from the start. Choose journals that support compliant licensing, deposit your work promptly, and consult your institution’s research office for guidance. The future of UK research is open—and REF2029 is leading the way.
See more on United Kingdom
Sources
REF 2029 Open Access Policy – REF
https://2029.ref.ac.uk/guidance/ref-2029-open-access-policy/
Published December 11, 2024
UKRI Open Access Policy – UK Research and Innovation
https://www.ukri.org/publications/ukri-open-access-policy/
Last updated February 10, 2025