This funding opportunity, "Pushing the Frontiers of Environmental Research," is offered by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) to support ambitious, high-risk, and high-reward curiosity-driven projects in environmental research.

The program aims to invest in the UK's best environmental researchers, encouraging them to pursue adventurous and ambitious research endeavors.

The funding opportunity welcomes multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research projects delivered in partnership with other research funders and users.

Scope of Work

This funding opportunity supports researchers' curiosity and imagination to enable discoveries that unlock new knowledge with a degree of adventure previously unrealised. The research must sit predominantly within NERC's research areas.

The program encourages the use of novel, critical technologies, including artificial intelligence, engineering biology, and quantum technologies, to address research questions in new and innovative ways.

The research must address a significant environmental science question, but applications from individuals who can demonstrate a capability to collaborate with experts from other disciplines to generate innovative research are welcomed.

Eligibility

This funding opportunity is open to research groups and individuals based at a UK research organization eligible for NERC funding.

The research project must address a significant environmental science question.

Individuals at any career stage are eligible to apply, subject to the UKRI eligibility criteria.

Applicants may be involved in no more than two applications submitted to this funding opportunity, only one of which can be as a project lead.

Project partners fund their own involvement, and NERC will only fund minor incidental expenses, such as some travel costs, if needed for project partners.

Budget and Duration

The full economic cost (FEC) of the project can be up to £950,000. NERC will fund 80% of the FEC, with exceptions for justified equipment and eligible costs for international project co-lead involvement, which are funded at 100%. There is no defined project duration, but awards are usually between three and four years.

Additional Information

The program encourages 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. The program also encourages multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research, designed, supported, and delivered in partnership with other research funders and research users.

Key Dates

• Opening Date: 17 September 2024, 9:00 am UK time

• Closing Date: 21 January 2025, 4:00 pm UK time

For More funding Opportunities, Visit Global Funding Opportunities.