# Pushing the Frontiers of Environmental Research

**Funder:** NERC
**Budget:** Up to £950,000 (FEC), funded at 80% (100% for eligible international project co-lead costs)
**Duration:** Usually 3-4 years
**Consortium:** Optional - project partners fund their own involvement; international co-lead only for Norway-based collaborators under UKRI-Research Council of Norway agreement
**Application:** Single stage; apply via UKRI Funding Service
**Frequency:** Continuous
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/pushing-the-frontiers-of-environmental-research/
**Last updated:** 27 Sept 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Open to research groups and individuals in environmental science for curiosity-driven, high-risk/high-reward research; must sit predominantly within NERC's remit. Does not fund PhD studentship costs or data archival services. International collaboration supported via Lead Agency agreements with NSF (US), FAPESP (Brazil), and FNR (Luxembourg).

## Summary

This NERC scheme funds curiosity-driven, high-risk/high-reward environmental science projects up to £950,000 (full economic cost) at 80% funding, typically running 3-4 years. It's open to research groups and individuals whose work sits predominantly within NERC's remit, with a rolling deadline rather than fixed rounds. International co-leadership is supported for Norway-based collaborators, and broader international collaboration is possible through Lead Agency agreements with NSF, FAPESP, and FNR.

## Who should apply

- Research groups and individual researchers in environmental science
- Applicants whose project sits predominantly within NERC's remit
- Those proposing curiosity-driven, high-risk/high-reward research rather than incremental studies
- Teams seeking international co-leadership with Norway, or collaboration under NSF, FAPESP, or FNR Lead Agency agreements

## Key dates

- Rolling deadline; continuous call with single-stage application via the UKRI Funding Service
- Usual project duration of 3-4 years

## Tips for applicants

- Frame the proposal explicitly as curiosity-driven and high-risk/high-reward; conventional incremental projects fit this call less well.
- Budget PhD studentship costs and data archival separately since neither is covered by this award.
- If bringing in a Norway-based co-lead, structure the application under the UKRI-Research Council of Norway agreement to access 100% funding on those costs.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much funding does the NERC Pushing the Frontiers of Environmental Research grant provide?

Up to £950,000 full economic cost, funded at 80% (100% for eligible international project co-lead costs).

### Is there a deadline for this NERC grant?

No, the call runs on a rolling deadline with continuous submission via the UKRI Funding Service.

### Can I include international collaborators in my application?

Yes, international co-lead is supported for Norway-based collaborators under the UKRI-Research Council of Norway agreement, and broader international collaboration is supported via Lead Agency agreements with NSF (US), FAPESP (Brazil), and FNR (Luxembourg).

### Does this grant fund PhD studentships?

No, it does not cover PhD studentship costs or data archival services.

### How long can a project funded under this scheme run?

Projects usually run for 3-4 years.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/nerc-pushing-the-frontiers-of-environmental-research-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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