The next PBRF Quality Evaluation will be held in 2026. In July 2021, the Government announced changes to the PBRF, based on the independent review conducted in 2019 and further targeted consultation. These include changes to the Quality Evaluation.

The TEC is establishing a Sector Reference Group (SRG) to provide advice and recommendations to us on operational changes to the design of Quality Evaluation 2026. The SRG will convene in September 2021, and will meet until June 2023 when the final Guidelines for Quality Evaluation 2026 will be published.

• Learn more about the SRG
• Quality Evaluation 2025 FAQs (updated 2 August 2021) (PDF 675 KB)

What is the Quality Evaluation?

The Quality Evaluation is an assessment of the research performance of staff at participating tertiary education organisations (TEOs) by expert peer review panels. It is held periodically and is the largest component of the Performance-Based Research Fund (PBRF).

The Quality Evaluation process is based on the submission and assessment of Evidence Portfolios. Peer review panels assess Evidence Portfolios against agreed standards and this process is moderated by the Principal Moderator and Deputy Moderators.

Participating TEOs are also required to review their staff against the eligibility criteria and participate in our audit processes.

Once peer review panel decisions have been made and approved, the results are given to each participating TEO and a report on the Quality Evaluation results is published.

• TEO participation in the PBRF (over all four rounds - 2003, 2006, 2012 and 2018)