SRG Consultation Papers 2026

SRG Consultation Papers 2026

Last updated 24 August 2023
Last updated 24 August 2023

This page provides links to the PBRF Sector Reference Group consultation papers, consultation feedback summaries and decision documents.

The PBRF Sector Reference Group (SRG) consults with the sector and other stakeholders on a range of implementation issues as part of the development of operational guidelines for the Quality Evaluation 2026.

We will update the table below with any updates to the group’s proposed ordering of issues, consultation papers and in-principle decisions.

No.

Consultation 
paper   

Consultation period

Consultation status

Decision status     

1

Approach to the design of the 2025 Quality Evaluation (PDF 1.3 MB)

6 October–5 November 2021

CLOSED

Decisions reached:

Summary of consultation feedback and SRG decisions (PDF 880 KB)

2

Towards a more holistic understanding of research excellence: PBRF research and research excellence definitions (PDF 1.1 MB)

10 December 2021–14 February 2022

CLOSED

 

Decisions reached:

TEC In Principle decisions and summary of feedback on research definitions (PDF 475 KB)

 

3

Redesigning Evidence Portfolios (EPs) (PDF 1.1 MB) 4 March–18 April 2022 CLOSED  

Decisions reached:

TEC In Principle decisions and summary of feedback on EP design (PDF 485 KB)

 

4

Roles and person specifications for the Moderation Team (PDF 423 KB) 31 March–27 April 2022 CLOSED Decisions reached

5

Individual researcher circumstances and Staff Identification (PDF 1.2 MB) 6 May–2 June 2022 CLOSED Decision reached – see below

6

Panels: membership criteria and working methods (PDF 1.2 MB)  1 July–29 July 2022 CLOSED Decisions reached (PDF 476 KB)

7

Individual Circumstances 2 (PDF 2.1 MB)
Individual Circumstances Appendix 2 (A3 version) (PDF 127 KB) 
12 August–22 September 2022 CLOSED

Decisions reached: 

TEC In-Principle decisions and summary of feedback on Individual Circumstances (PDF 528 KB)

8

Panels: assessment criteria (PDF 1.2 MB)
Proposed component descriptors (DOCX 197 KB)
30 September–11 November 2022 CLOSED

Decision reached:

TEC In-Principle decisions and summary of feedback on panel assessment criteria (PDF 429 KB)

9

Technical matters/detailed EP structure and submission requirements (PDF 1.4 MB)

Detailed EP structure and submission requirements (DOCX 491 KB)

19 December 2022–24 February 2023 CLOSED

Decision reached:

TEC In-Principle Decisions and Summary of Feedback on Technical Matters, and recognising the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (PDF 442 KB)

10

Recognising the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (PDF 463 KB)

24 March–5 May 2023 CLOSED

Decision reached:

TEC In-Principle Decisions and Summary of Feedback on Technical Matters, and recognising the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (PDF 442 KB)

11

Reporting the results of the Quality Evaluation 2026 (PDF 493 KB)

5 May 2023–16 June 2023 CLOSED

Decision reached:

TEC In-Principle Decisions and Summary of Feedback on Reporting the results of Quality Evaluation 2026 (PDF 381 KB)

12

Draft PBRF Guidelines for TEOs participating in Quality Evaluation 2026 (PDF 1.9 MB)

Overview of changes to the TEO Guidelines (PDF 478 KB)

Draft Guidelines for the Quality Evaluation 2026 assessment process (PDF 1.2 MB)

Overview of changes to the Assessment Guidelines (PDF 459 KB)

11 August–22 September 2023 OPEN  

The Summary of TEC's In-Principle Decisions is now available: Summary of TEC's in-principle decisions (PDF 464 KB).

The revised Audit Methodology for consultation is now available: Draft Audit Methodology for PBRF Quality Evaluation 2026 (PDF 382 KB).

We are reviewing when we’ll publish the illustrative template, the PBRF Staff Data file schema and the EP template schema. We’ll provide an update when these are available.