[Last updated 2024-12-18]

The four UK higher education funding bodies have released their Open Access Policy for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029. There are revised requirements for journals and conference proceedings, but no inclusion of longform work.

REF 2029 Open Access Policy

REF 2029 Open access consultation and engagement summary

Timeline

• 18/03/2024 - 17/06/24. Open sector consultation. Following this consultation, the REF funding bodes developed the policy.
• 14/08/24 – Confirmation that longform publications will not be required as part of the Open Access Policy for REF 2029.
• 11/12/24 – Policy documentation announced on the REF website.
• 01/01/2026 – Applicable outputs published from this date must follow the new policy requirements to be considered for the REF.

Key points so far

Applicable outputs: conference proceedings or journal articles published with an ISSN between 01/01/2021-31/12/28.

[NOTE: Outputs compliant with the UKRI open access policy will automatically comply with the REF open access policy].

Applicable outputs published 01/01/21 - 31/12/25

Must follow the REF 2021 requirements for open access.

See REF 2021 requirements here

Applicable outputs published 01/01/26 - 31/12/28

• Must be made open access under a Creative Commons (or similar) licence, with a preference for CC BY.
• Two options permissible:
  
  • Immediate OA (‘gold’ or ‘diamond’) via the publisher with no embargo
  • Deposit (‘green’) OA via a repository
    
    • Outputs must be deposited within three months of publication
    • Embargo allowance:
      
      • 6 months (Main Panels A&B)
      • 12 months (Main Panels C&D)

Policy briefings via Bodleian iSkills

We understand that many people are interested in this policy and its details, and have scheduled two policy briefings in February 2025:

06/02/25 – Online, 10:00-11:00

12/02/25 – Online, 15:00-16:00

We will share our understanding of the policy so far, and actions for authors to take. While we expect these briefings to be recorded, we encourage attendance to anyone who wishes to learn more about the policy and its implementation at Oxford.