Competitions FAQs

What does a submission to the Hidden REF Competition look like?

• Details on submissions can be found on the Submissions and Review page.

I’m not sure which category my submission falls into, which one should I choose?

• If you don’t think your research or activity falls into one of the existing categories, you can always suggest a new category (before 5 May 2026) or get in touch with our team at info@hidden-ref.org and we’ll help you figure it out. It’s impossible to know everything that’s happening in the diverse research world, so we have the ‘Everything Else!’ category so that people can submit something that we might have missed.

I’d like to nominate a colleague for the ‘Hidden Role’ category. Do I need to get their permission first?

• Yes, if you are nominating someone else you must get their permission before you submit a nomination for them.

Who is assessing the submissions?

• The submissions are assessed by panels of experts. The panels for the Hidden REF Competition are made up of volunteers who are experts in evaluation or specific output categories.

That sounds like fun! Can I get involved in the competition?

• Of course – if you want to get involved in assessing submissions, get in touch with our team at info@hidden-ref.org.

I’m not REF eligible at my institution. Can I still submit to the Hidden REF Competition?

• Yes! The Competition is open to anyone who is affiliated with a UK research organisation, regardless of whether they or their institution submits to the REF.