Open Call: Pushing the Frontiers of Environmental Research (UK)

UK Research and Innovation’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) invites applications for “Pushing the frontiers of environmental research,” a grant funding opportunity for curiosity-driven environmental science projects. The opportunity supports ambitious, high-reward research that addresses clearly defined environmental science questions, including multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary work. The source page lists an opening date of 23 September 2026 (9:00am UK time) and states there is no closing date. Opportunity at a Glance

- Funder: Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) (UK Research and Innovation, UKRI)

- Opportunity name: Pushing the frontiers of environmental research

- Opportunity type: Grant

- Maximum award: £950,000 (based on project full economic cost (FEC) up to £950,000)

- Funding rate: 80% of FEC (with specific exceptions noted below)

- Eligible applicants: Research groups and individuals (subject to UKRI eligibility criteria)

- Eligible locations: UK research organisations eligible for NERC funding; international arrangements may apply for specific roles/agreements

- Opening date: 23 September 2026, 9:00am UK time

- Closing date: Open – no closing date

- Project duration: No defined duration; awards are usually three to four years

- Expected start: Anticipated start within six months of the offer letter (start dates confirmed after discussion with NERC)

About the Opportunity

This NERC grant opportunity is designed to support adventurous, ambitious, curiosity-driven environmental research. NERC is seeking projects that pursue high-reward discoveries, which may involve substantial risk, while still addressing clearly defined environmental science questions. The opportunity welcomes multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research, including projects delivered in partnership with other research funders and research users. Funding and Benefits Maximum project cost and NERC contribution - The full economic cost (FEC) of the project can be up to £950,000. - NERC will fund 80% of the FEC, with the following exceptions: - Eligible costs for international project co-lead involvement would be funded at 100%. - Ship time and marine equipment (SME) are not included in the application, so they should not be counted towards the funding limit. Typical award size - Most applications are expected to be under £950,000. - NERC recognises that a small number of projects may have exceptional costs (for example, for large research infrastructure facilities) that may require a budget exceeding the maximum grant limit. Applying for more than £950,000 (prior approval required) - If you plan to apply for more than £950,000, you must seek prior approval from NERC first. - A case explaining why the costs are essential and why they exceed the maximum must be submitted by email to [contact details removed] before submitting an application. - NERC aims to provide a decision within 10 working days. Equipment funding - Justified equipment is funded at 80% FEC. - Any request for equipment over £25,000 must be fully justified in the application. - Equipment funding is subject to NERC consideration based on justification and budget availability. What NERC will not fund - PhD studentship costs - Costs for data archival and curation services, which are paid directly to the NERC Environmental Data Service (EDS) on behalf of the programme and should not be included in the application. - Applicants should ensure they request sufficient resource to cover preparation of data for archiving by the research team. - Specialist services (for example, database development or project data-management support) must be discussed with the relevant data centre before submission. Who Is Eligible? Eligible applicant types - This opportunity is open to research groups and individuals. Core eligibility requirements

Before applying, applicants must ensure:

- They are based at a UK research organisation eligible for NERC funding. - They are in a role that meets the individual eligibility requirements (Not specified in the source text; applicants should follow UKRI/NERC eligibility guidance). Research requirements - The research project must address a significant environmental science question. - NERC welcomes applications from individuals at any career stage, provided they meet UKRI eligibility criteria. - Individuals must be able to demonstrate capability to collaborate with experts from other disciplines to generate innovative research.

Partnership and partner costs

- NERC encourages multidisciplinary research and collaborations with other UK organisations. - Project partners fund their own involvement. - NERC will only fund minor incidental expenses (such as some travel costs) if needed for project partners. Resubmissions - NERC will not accept uninvited resubmissions of projects previously assessed by UKRI. International researchers and collaboration - Under a UKRI and Research Council of Norway Money Follows Cooperation agreement, a project co-lead (international) (previously co-investigator) can be based in a Norwegian institution. (See NERC eligibility guidance for applicants—link not provided in the source text.) - If submitting under a NERC Lead Agency agreement (NSF, FAPESP, FNR), applicants should consult the section on International Collaborative proposals (details not included in the source text). - Other international collaborators should be included as project partners, including organisations from the business or financial sectors. Equality, diversity and inclusion NERC states it is committed to equality of opportunity and encourages applications from a diverse range of researchers. UKRI can offer disability and accessibility support for UKRI applicants and grant holders during the application and assessment process. Eligible Activities or Priority Areas Scope of supported research NERC supports curiosity and imagination to enable discoveries that unlock new environmental knowledge. Projects may