Resources and publications – PBRF

Resources and publications – PBRF

Last updated 30 November 2023
Last updated 30 November 2023

This page provides a list of Performance-Based Research Fund (PBRF) publications, guidelines and other resources.

These include:

  • Quality Evaluation 2026 publications
  • guidelines
  • user manuals
  • technical specifications
  • annual reports and performance information
  • reporting External Research Income (ERI)
  • measuring Research Degree Completions information
  • older resources.

Quality Evaluation 2026 publications

Guidelines for Quality Evaluation 2026

Other Quality Evaluation 2026 publications

For Sector Reference Group (SRG) consultation papers, see SRG consultation papers 2026.

For Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) consultation papers, see TEC consultation papers 2026.

User manuals

  • PBRF User Manual V5 (PDF 907 KB) (updated March 2022)
    A comprehensive guide to the PBRF as a whole. Outlines key components of the PBRF, the purpose and drivers of the fund and information to help tertiary education organisations to respond to the data requirements of the PBRF.

Performance allocations and annual reports

Performance allocations

Annual reports

Reporting External Research Income (ERI)

Research Degree Completions Business Rules

Older resources

Quality Evaluation 2018

  • Guidelines for tertiary education organisations participating in the 2018 Quality Evaluation (PDF 2.3 MB) (updated June 2018)
    This document provides information that tertiary education organisations (TEOs) need to determine staff eligibility, complete Evidence Portfolios, understand and participate in the TEC audit process, and understand the reporting of results. It also provides information about other related processes, such as submitting conflict of interest notices and complaints to the TEC.
  • Guidelines for the 2018 Quality Evaluation assessment process (PDF 2.2 MB)
    This document provides information about the assessment process undertaken by the 13 peer review panels. This includes information on the responsibilities of the panel, the scoring system and detailed scoring descriptors for Evidence Portfolios, the stages in the assessment process, the moderation process, and information about conflicts of interest and confidentiality.
  • A guide for staff members participating in the 2018 Quality Evaluation (PDF 1.4 MB)
    This document provides staff members with an overview of the process, their responsibilities and the responsibilities of their employing TEOs and the TEC. It also identifies the key areas of the Quality Evaluation process that relate to them and who can provide support. The guide is designed to be an overview of the process and directs staff members to the relevant areas of the other guidelines.
  • Panel-specific guidelines for the 2018 Quality Evaluation (PDF 1.6 MB) (updated April 2018)
    This document provides subject-specific advice to support TEOs and their staff members to develop and submit Evidence Portfolios. The panel-specific guidelines are supplementary to, and must be read in conjunction with, the guidelines listed above. 

Quality Evaluation 2012

  • 2012 PBRF Quality Evaluation Guidelines (PDF 1.1 MB) (updated May 2013)
    An overview of the Quality Evaluation process, including eligibility criteria; submission, assignment and assessment of Evidence Portfolios (EPs); Panels, Expert Advisory Groups (EAGs), and audit and complaint processes.

Quality Evaluation 2006

Other historical resources and publications relating to earlier PBRF cycles have been archived. They can be requested by emailing pbrfhelp@tec.govt.nz.