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We aim to promote a dynamic and sustainable research base within higher education institutions, which compares well with that in the rest of the UK in terms of quality, and is capable of contributing to economic and social well being in Wales and beyond.
Funding for providersWe work to promote and develop a thriving, excellent research base across Wales through supporting and promoting research and innovation cultures where respect, integrity and inclusivity thrives.
We continue to develop our understanding of how we can work with providers to achieve research cultures that can deliver a nurturing and innovative environment for world-class people and research.
To support the UK-wide effort to promote good research practice, we have signed a number of agreements – called Concordats – and we are a member of UK groups working with other bodies to ensure that these aims are achieved.
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the UK-wide instrument for assessing research in higher education institutions.
It is undertaken jointly by all four UK higher education funding bodies – Medr, Research England, Scottish Funding Council, and Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland – and is managed on our behalf by the REF Team, based at Research England.
The four funding bodies form the REF Steering Group, which oversees the process of developing the next UK-wide assessment exercise..
The REF is a process of expert review, and panels of experts in individual academic subject areas assess institutions’ research submissions under three broad headings:
The next REF will report in 2029.
83% of research at universities in Wales is world-leading or internationally excellent, according to the 2021 assessment of the quality of research.
The REF 2021 also concluded that 89% of Welsh research has an impact that is world-leading or internationally excellent beyond academia.
2021 Assessment of the Quality of ResearchThe Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers is an agreement between organisations outlining the expectations on and responsibilities of researchers, their managers, employers and funders.
Concordat to support the Career Development of ResearchersThe Concordat on Open Research Data is a set of expectations on best practice to help ensure that research data is made openly available for use by others wherever possible.
Concordat on Open Research DataThe Forum for Tackling Bullying and Harassment in Research and Innovation is an international group where research funders, higher education funding bodies, policy makers, regulatory organisations and learned societies come together to work toward tackling and preventing bullying and harassment across the research and innovation sector.
Forum for Tackling Bullying and Harassment in Research and InnovationThe Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research is a set of principles drawn up by organisations that fund research in the UK to encourage public engagement to boost the social and economic impact of research.
Concordat for Engaging the Public with ResearchThe Knowledge Exchange Concordat is a set of principles to encourage best practice in innovation and to support institutions to develop new and approved approaches.
Knowledge Exchange ConcordatThe Concordat to Support Research Integrity is a framework for good research conduct and governance built on a set of four clear commitments for researchers, employers and funders of research.
The Concordat to Support Research Integrity has provided a practical UK framework and reference document for research integrity for researchers, employers of researchers and funders of research since 2012. It is currently hosted by the UK Committee on Research Integrity (UKCORI).
The Concordat was re-launched in 2025 following a review by the Research Integrity Concordat Signatories Group, based on consultation. The review was to ensure the framework was:
A summary of the consultation and the changes that were made in response is available on the UKCORI website.
Review of UK annual statements on research integrity
Research organisations funded by Medr are expected to produce annual statements as part of their commitment to the Concordat. They should use the revised content by April 2026; and continue to use the existing annual statement reporting template.
A review of annual statements undertaken by Research Consulting for 2022/23 and 2023/24 is now available from UKCORI.
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