Exploring the frontiers of environmental research 2026
Exploring the frontiers of environmental research 2026 supports researchers testing original, early-stage environmental science ideas with the potential to transform knowledge, capability or application.
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Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: November 12, 2026, 4:00pm UK time (Application) | January 13, 2027 (Review conflicts) | January 27, 2027 (Reviews due) | May 1, 2027 (Latest project start)
Funding Amounts: £100,000–£200,000 full economic cost; NERC funds 80%; maximum two years; £8 million total fund
Summary: Supports novel, early-stage environmental research testing uncertain ideas with potential to transform knowledge, capability or application.
Key Information: Project leads must personally review other applications; missing required reviews automatically disqualifies their own application.
Description
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), part of UK Research and Innovation, supports curiosity-driven environmental research that is too early-stage for standard funding routes. Projects should address clearly defined environmental science questions through original, untested ideas, concepts or approaches. Preliminary data are not required. Research may be pure, applied, technology-led or policy-driven, including interdisciplinary work predominantly within NERC’s remit.
The opportunity prioritises potential reward rather than likelihood of success. Projects might test unconventional ideas, develop techniques, demonstrate proof of principle or establish feasibility, informing future research, commercialisation or policy. Negative results and disproved theories can also provide valuable learning. Applicants must explain key risks, plausible mitigation or alternatives, and what could be learned if objectives are not achieved.
