# Biological carbon storage in carbon models - UK-led project with US team members

**Funder:** NERC
**Consortium:** Required — UK lead with optional US team members
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/
**Last verified:** 18 June 2026

## Summary

NERC funds UK-led research projects on biological carbon storage in carbon models, with optional participation from US team members. This call targets researchers investigating how biological processes affect carbon cycling and representation in climate and Earth system models. The consortium structure requires a UK lead institution and supports international collaboration.

## Who should apply

- UK-based research teams with institutional lead eligibility
- Climate, Earth systems, or carbon-cycle modellers
- Projects bridging biological processes and computational carbon models
- Researchers open to international (US) team participation

## Key dates

- Call listed from 2 April 2026; confirm deadline on NERC website

## Tips for applicants

- NERC prioritises model innovation grounded in process-level biology; avoid purely empirical approaches without mechanistic insight.
- A named US collaborator strengthens the application if your team lacks specific modelling expertise they bring.
- Carbon budget closure and validation against observational datasets are scoring strengths.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do I need US team members to apply to this NERC call?

No, US participation is optional. The consortium requires a UK lead institution but accepts optional US collaborators.

### Who is eligible to be the lead on a NERC biological carbon storage project?

A UK-based research institution must hold the lead; individual researchers from other countries may join as sub-investigators.

### What research does this NERC call fund?

Projects investigating biological carbon storage and how biological processes are represented in carbon and climate models.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/nerc-biological-carbon-storage-in-carbon-models-uk-led--2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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