NERC
Research Infrastructure Renewal
4:00pm UK time
Last updated:
NERC Research Infrastructure Renewal funds capital investment to renew, replace, or enhance environmental science research facilities accessible across the UK research community, with awards of £300,000-£1 million at 100% full economic cost. The call is open to UK-eligible organisations only and funds rapid infrastructure upgrades to keep research facilities competitive. Projects must start by 1 February 2027, with most expenditure expected before 31 March 2027.
Details
| Funder | NERC |
| Budget | £300k–£1M (100% FEC) |
| Deadline | 21 October 2026 |
| Duration | 3–12 months |
| Application | Single stage |
| Eligible countries | GB |
Eligibility & scope
Capital investment to renew, replace or enhance existing environmental science research infrastructures and facilities accessible to the wider UK research community. Awards £300k–£1M at 100% FEC; exceptional cases outside this range require prior NERC approval by 21 Sep 2026. Projects must start by 1 Feb 2027; most expenditure expected before 31 Mar 2027. Open to UKRI-eligible organisations only.
Who Should Apply
- •UK-eligible organisations with existing environmental science research infrastructure
- •Research institutions seeking to upgrade or replace equipment or facilities
- •Projects with clear community benefit across the UK research base
- •Applications requiring rapid capital investment with compressed project timelines
Key Dates
- •Deadline 21 October 2026, 16:00 UK time
- •Single-stage application; exceptional cases exceeding £1M require prior NERC approval by 21 September 2026
- •Projects must start by 1 February 2027 with most expenditure by 31 March 2027
Tips for Applicants
- ✓If your project exceeds £1M, submit a pre-approval request to NERC by 21 September 2026; waiting until the main deadline means immediate rejection.
- ✓Emphasise accessibility and shared-use arrangements in your application; NERC prioritises infrastructure open to the wider research community over single-institution upgrades.
- ✓Plan expenditure to complete by 31 March 2027; the tight timeline rules out projects requiring extended procurement or installation phases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I apply for in NERC Research Infrastructure Renewal?
Awards range from £300,000 to £1 million at 100% full economic cost; exceptional cases outside this range require prior NERC approval by 21 September 2026.
Who can apply for NERC Research Infrastructure Renewal?
UK-eligible organisations only; this includes universities, research institutes, and other UKRI-eligible bodies.
When must my project start and finish?
Projects must begin by 1 February 2027, with most expenditure expected before 31 March 2027, making this a fast-track call for near-term infrastructure upgrades.
Is NERC Research Infrastructure Renewal competitive?
Single-stage applications are assessed; the compressed timeline and accessibility requirement favour shovel-ready projects benefiting multiple research groups.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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