Funding opportunity: Exploring the frontiers of environmental research 2026

Apply for funding to pursue truly novel curiosity-driven environmental research that is at an early stage of development and has the potential to be transformative.

You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) funding.

Projects should focus on preliminary investigation that may inform future activities and applicants should articulate the potential for impact of the project outcomes.

The full economic cost (FEC) of your project can be between £100,000 and £200,000. NERC will fund 80% of the FEC.

The duration of the award is a maximum of two years.