Opportunity status: Upcoming
Funders: Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Funding type: Grant
Total fund: £8,000,000
Award range: £100,000 – £200,000
Publication date: 27 August 2026
Opening date: 10 September 2026 9:00am UK time
Closing date: 12 November 2026 4:00pm UK time
Apply for funding to pursue truly novel curiosity-driven environmental research that is at an early stage of development and has the potential to be transformative.
You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) funding.
Projects should focus on preliminary investigation that may inform future activities and applicants should articulate the potential for impact of the project outcomes.
The full economic cost (FEC) of your project can be between £100,000 and £200,000. NERC will fund 80% of the FEC.
The duration of the award is a maximum of two years.
Impact can be defined as the long-term intended or unintended effect research and innovation has on society, economy and the environment; to individuals, organisations, and the wider global population.
Exploring the Frontiers 2026 – DPR Guidance (PDF, 186 KB)
Equality Impact Assessment (PDF, 215KB)
We will hold a webinar on 17 September 2026 at 2:00pm to 3:30pm. This will provide more information about the funding opportunity and provide an opportunity to ask questions.
We will be holding an additional webinar for applicants on the 6 January 2027 at 10:00am to 11:00am. This will provide further details of the Distributed Peer Review process and an opportunity to ask questions.