Grants available for adventurous researchers to carry out curiosity-driven, high-risk, high-reward environmental science projects within the NERC remit.

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is funding ambitious, curiosity driven, high-risk, high-reward environmental science projects through the Pushing the Frontiers of Environmental Research call. This scheme will support adventurous researchers who have curiosity and imagination to enable discoveries that unlock new knowledge.

NERC is seeking proposals that can support pure, applied, technology-led or policy-driven research but still address, or provide the means to address, clearly defined scientific questions. The research must predominantly sit within NERC’s remit. NERC will work with other research councils to ensure that applications close to remit boundaries are assessed by the most appropriate lead council.

Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research projects are welcomed that can be designed, supported and delivered in partnership with other research funders and research users.

Projects are required to have a project lead based in a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding (ie approved higher education institutions, research council institutes, independent research organisations and public sector research establishments). NERC individual eligibility rules.

Application can be made as a research group or an individual, and multidisciplinary research and collaborations with other UK organisations are encouraged. The research project must address a significant environmental science question, but NERC welcomes proposals from applicants that can demonstrate a capability to collaborate with experts from other disciplines to generate innovative research.

The full economic cost of the project can be up to £950,000. NERC will fund 80% of the full economic cost. There is no defined project duration, but awards usually last between three and four years.

(This Bulletin article was the subject of a ResearchConnect news alert.)