Grant opportunity
Exploring the Frontiers of Environmental Research 2026
NERC support for high-risk, high-reward early-stage environmental research with transformative potential.
- Funder
- Natural Environment Research Council
- Applications close 12 November 2026 at 16:00 UK time
- Applications close 12 November 2026 at 16:00 UK time: Nov 12, 2026
- Award
- GBP 100,000 to GBP 200,000 full economic cost per project; GBP 8 million total fund
- Applicant
- Researchers based at UK research organisations eligible for NERC funding, including applicants at different career stages proposing early-stage environmental research.
- Discipline
- Environmental Science and Natural Resources
- Region
- United Kingdom
- Posted
- Aug 31, 2026
Call summary
Overview
This opportunity funds exploratory environmental science projects that test new ideas, methods or paradigms where preliminary data may be limited.
Who can apply
Project leads must be resident in the UK and employed by an eligible UK research organisation, with proposals sitting predominantly within NERC's remit.
What it supports
- Curiosity-driven environmental research
- Novel exploratory methods
- Potentially transformative knowledge and capability
Funding and duration
- GBP 100,000 to GBP 200,000 FEC per project
- NERC funds 80% FEC
Applications close 12 November 2026 at 16:00 UK time
Applications close 12 November 2026 at 16:00 UK time: Nov 12, 2026
How to apply
Prepare a self-contained application through the UKRI Funding Service after the call opens on 10 September 2026.
Call details
Source-based overview
The scheme is designed for original and visionary environmental research that can challenge existing thinking. Projects may be pure, applied, technology-led or policy-driven, but must address clearly defined environmental science questions and accept the distributed peer review process.
Eligibility
Project leads must be resident in the UK and employed by an eligible UK research organisation, with proposals sitting predominantly within NERC's remit.
Funding and benefits
GBP 100,000 to GBP 200,000 FEC per project
NERC funds 80% FEC
Themes and supported activities
Curiosity-driven environmental research
Novel exploratory methods
Potentially transformative knowledge and capability
Deadline and timeline
Applications close 12 November 2026 at 16:00 UK time: Applications close 12 November 2026 at 16:00 UK time: Nov 12, 2026.
Applicants should confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, required documents, portal steps and any institutional approvals on the official call page before submitting.
How to apply
Prepare a self-contained application through the UKRI Funding Service after the call opens on 10 September 2026.
Before applying, check eligibility rules, budgets, attachments, page limits, partner requirements, cost-share conditions and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration or nomination stage.