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It's the new acronym in town: REF (Research Excellence Framework) - the new national system for evaluating university research, which has taken over from the RAE (Research Assessment Exercise). 

Like the RAE, the REF will be run by HEFCE and will be used as the determinant of the £1.5bn of funding for research which the Funding Council distributes to universities in England. 

Professor Bob Allison, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), said: "Engaging positively with the REF is central to Sussex being rightly recognised as a research-intensive university." 

The REF census date is likely to be 2013 or 2014, probably in October, with a publication cut-off date in December of the same year. Preparation for the REF will be a major part of University and School research planning and delivery over the next two to three academic years. 

Professor Allison said: "Being 'REF ready' is a key goal for Sussex. 

"We are now establishing a framework which can guide us in our preparations for the REF, whatever the final census date. That will be presented to University committees in the summer before it is finalised. 

"Although 2013 may seem some time away, it is important that we are in as strong a position as possible to reflect the excellence of Sussex research through the REF." 

The format for the REF is not dissimilar to the RAE 2008: individual staff will be entered to Units of Assessment, with a requirement for each individual to have four publications (save for exceptional circumstances). Peer review will be the principal mechanism for assessment in all subjects. 

The 1* to 4* grading scheme remains the same, but will be labelled "1* good"; "2* very good"; "3* exceptional"; and "4* ground breaking": an implication in the language used that quality standards have been increased or at least defined with greater clarity. 

A much discussed difference will be that, while the "esteem" element in the RAE is not retained, the need to demonstrate "impact" will be part of the REF. A HEFCE pilot on impact is currently in progress, with further information due in the autumn about how impact will be assessed. 

The REF will be one of the issues covered at the Vice-Chancellor's open forum meetings for staff next week. 

Further information on the REF is available at www.hefce.ac.uk/research/ref/