Outline Proposals Invited for NERC Large Grants Scheme

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) runs its Large Grants Scheme to tackle big environmental science questions by supporting innovative, large-scale and complex projects that have the potential to produce world-leading research.

Projects must be predominantly within a research area or subject associated with the NERC environmental science remit, although multidisciplinary proposals that cross over into other research council areas will be considered for funding. It is expected that the proposal will demonstrate several interdependent components (work packages) interacting in a single overall structure.

Proposals can be for pure, applied, technology-led or policy-driven research but still address (or provide the means to address) clearly defined scientific questions.

The project’s Principal Investigator (PI) must be:

• Resident in the UK.
• Employed by an eligible UK research organisation (higher education institution, research council institute, recognised independent research organisation or public sector research establishment).
• Employed at lecturer (or equivalent) level or above.

The PI can apply as an individual or as part of a research group. Multidisciplinary research and collaborations with other UK organisations are encouraged. International and non-academic collaborators can be involved as project partners.

The full economic cost of the project can be between £1.2 million and £3.7 million. The funding duration is up to five years. Funding can cover directly incurred costs, directly allocated costs, indirect costs and equipment. NERC usually funds costs at 80% full economic cost, however, equipment costs will be funded at 100%.

Applications are made up of a two-stage process. Applicants must first submit an outline proposal. Once an outline proposal has been invited to proceed, a full proposal should be submitted by the appropriate deadline.

Outline proposals must be submitted by the deadline of 8 March 2022 (16:00).