NERC: Large grant to tackle big environmental science questions

17/08/2023

16/11/2023

The Natural Environment Research Council invites applications for its large grant to tackle big environmental science questions. Large grants are intended to support adventurous, large-scale and complex research tackling big science questions that cannot be addressed through our other funding opportunities. The full economic cost of the project may be £1.2 and £3.7 million. NERC will fund 80 per cent of the full economic cost (FEC). Projects may last for up to five years. Funding covers directly incurred costs, directly allocated costs, indirect costs and equipment. Associated studentships may also be funded. Justified equipment costs and eligible costs for international project co-lead can be funded at 100 % FEC.

You can submit an application in any area of environmental science, provided it is predominantly within a research area or subject associated with our remit. We also welcome multidisciplinary applications that cross into other research council areas. We’re looking for applications that can support pure, applied, technology-led or policy-driven research but still address (or provide the means to address) clearly-defined scientific questions. We expect that the research projects we fund will have the potential to be world-leading. Large research projects must tackle big science questions. To achieve this, they will often involve multidisciplinary approaches.

Applicant type Individuals: Early Career and Emerging in Field; Individuals: Mid-Career to Established in Field Eligibility Note Both research groups and individuals may apply. The project lead must be resident in the UK and employed at lecturer level or above by an eligible UK resarch organisation such as a HEI, a research council institute, a recognised independent research organisation, a public sector research establishment or a Catapult. Multidisciplinary research and collaborations with other UK organisations are encouraged. International and non-academic collaborators can be involved as project partners.