Exploring the frontiers of environmental research 2026

About this grant

NERC's Exploring the frontiers of environmental research 2026 opportunity funds early-stage, truly novel, curiosity-driven environmental research with potential to be transformative. It aims to let researchers test new ideas and approaches at a stage not yet sufficiently developed for standard funding routes, where outcomes are inherently uncertain. The opportunity deliberately reduces the expectation for preliminary data to encourage a high-risk, high-reward culture in application and assessment. Projects should be exploratory or preliminary investigations that may inform future activities such as longer-term research, a commercialisation opportunity or policy influence. Work should be original and visionary, challenging current thinking or establishing a new line of enquiry, and may combine pure, applied, technology-led or policy-driven research across disciplinary boundaries. Research must sit predominantly within NERC's research areas and address clearly defined environmental science questions. Not supported are incremental extensions of existing lines of enquiry, established programmes seeking further validation, primarily non-research activities, career-development items such as studentships, fellowships, training or equipment purchase, and methodological or technology development solely for a specific end user's need. Assessment focuses on potential reward rather than likelihood of success, but applicants must articulate key risks, mitigation or alternatives, and what can be learned if the core idea is disproved. A distinct, evidenced novelty statement is required. The full economic cost must be between £100,000 and £200,000, with NERC funding 80% of FEC (100% for an international co-lead based in a Norwegian institution under the Money Follows Cooperation agreement). Awards last a maximum of two years and must start by 1 May 2027. Costs not funded include PhD studentships, single equipment items over £25,000, and data archival services, which are paid directly to the NERC Environmental Data Service.

Eligibility

The project lead must be resident in the UK and have a substantial relationship with, and be affiliated to, an eligible UK research organisation eligible for NERC funding. Applications are open to researchers at all career stages, with the call emphasising talent and capability over formal qualifications, and welcoming non-linear career paths. An applicant may appear on a maximum of two applications, and may be project lead on only one. Uninvited resubmissions of applications previously assessed by UKRI are not accepted. An international project co-lead may be based in a Norwegian institution; other international collaborators and business or financial sector partners should be included as project partners. The project lead must cost at least 0.2 FTE. Marine facility and Antarctic logistics requests require prior approval, otherwise applications are office rejected.

How it's scored

Assessment focuses on the potential reward of the research rather than the likelihood of success. Reviewers judge originality and vision, departure from existing directions, early-stage nature and untested status, acceptance of uncertainty, and the potential for transformative outcomes. Applicants must show critical thinking about key risks, plausible mitigation or alternative approaches, and what can be learned if objectives are not fully realised. A distinct novelty statement interpretable by generalist assessors is mandatory; omission may lead to office rejection. Applications are also assessed on the applicant and team capability and the expected impact. Panel composition is not specified in the extracted text.

Key requirements

• ✓Applicant must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for Natural Environment Research Council funding
• ✓Research must be novel, curiosity-driven, and at an early stage of development
• ✓Project must have potential to be transformative in environmental research
• ✓Deadline: 12 November 2026

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) offer?

Exploring the frontiers of environmental research 2026 offers Total fund £8M.

When is the Exploring the frontiers of environmental research 2026 deadline?

Applications close 12 Nov 2026 16:00.

Who can apply for Exploring the frontiers of environmental research 2026?

Eligibility covers organisations in GB; university, research-institution. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Biodiversity funding backs habitat restoration, species protection, protected areas and nature-positive business. It comes from environment agencies, multilateral nature funds and conservation philanthropy, often through competitive calls with defined regions. Applicants are usually asked for baseline surveys, local partners and indicators that show ecological change.