NERC
Large Grant
4:00pm UK time; invite-only — must have been invited following a successful outline application
Last verified:
NERC's Large Grant funds ambitious, multidisciplinary environmental science research led from UK institutions, with budgets of £1.12M-£3.45M FEC (NERC funds 80%) over up to five years. The call operates as a two-stage competition: researchers must first secure an outline invitation, then submit a full proposal, and projects may include international co-leads from Norway, the US (via NSF), Brazil (via FAPESP), or Luxembourg (via FNR). This is a high-value call suited to established teams tackling complex environmental questions at scale.
Details
| Funder | NERC |
| Budget | £1.12M–£3.45M FEC (NERC funds 80%) |
| Deadline | 5 November 2026 |
| Duration | Up to 5 years |
| Consortium | Optional — multidisciplinary collaborations and partnerships with other UK organisations are strongly encouraged; project partners fund their own involvement |
| Application | 2-stage: outline application (closed) → full application (invite-only) |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Eligible countries | GB |
Eligibility & scope
Supports innovative, large-scale environmental science research tackling big questions not addressable through other NERC discovery science routes. Open to research groups and individuals at any career stage at eligible UK organisations. International co-leads permitted only from Norway (UKRI–RCN agreement) or via lead agency agreements (NSF/US, FAPESP/Brazil, FNR/Luxembourg). Invite-only at full-application stage.
Who Should Apply
- •Established research teams at NERC-eligible UK institutions leading complex environmental science projects
- •Researchers with a track record of securing and delivering large research grants
- •Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary teams combining environmental, physical, social or computational methods
- •Projects involving international collaborations with partners in Norway, the US, Brazil, or Luxembourg (via bilateral agreements)
- •Consortia capable of managing budgets up to £3.45M FEC and delivering over a five-year timescale
Key Dates
- •Outline application invitation deadline: 5 November 2026 at 4:00pm UK time
- •Two-stage: outline application (invite-only) followed by full proposal submission
- •Funded projects run for up to five years
Tips for Applicants
- ✓The outline stage is gating: only invited teams may proceed to full proposal. Ensure your outline is precise and clearly justifies the scale and ambition.
- ✓International co-leads narrow to Norway, US (NSF), Brazil (FAPESP), or Luxembourg (FNR), check bilateral agreements before including non-eligible partners.
- ✓NERC funds 80% FEC; plan for 20% match funding or ensure your institution can absorb the gap, except for studentships and Norwegian co-lead costs (funded at 100%).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the budget range for the NERC Large Grant?
£1.12M-£3.45M FEC, with NERC funding 80% of eligible costs; associated studentships and Norwegian co-lead costs are funded at 100%.
Who can lead a NERC Large Grant application?
Researchers at NERC-eligible UK institutions; international co-leads are permitted from Norway, the US (via NSF agreement), Brazil (via FAPESP agreement), or Luxembourg (via FNR agreement).
How long does the NERC Large Grant application process take?
It is a two-stage process: outline applications are submitted first (invite-only), and invited teams then submit full proposals.
How long can a NERC Large Grant project run?
Projects can run for up to five years.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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