The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) discovery science spans the full breadth of sciences and methodologies required to advance our understanding of the Earth system and to reveal people’s impact on environmental processes. It is driving policy change and catalysing innovation in the UK and worldwide.
NERC discovery science funding is delivered through applicant-led funding opportunities. It supports environmental research driven by curiosity and imagination rather than our strategic priorities. We welcome multi and interdisciplinary research, designed, supported, and delivered in partnership with other research funders and research users.
Discovery science grants can support pure, applied, technology-led or policy-driven research that addresses, or provides the means to address, clearly defined scientific questions.
Applications do not need to be hypothesis-driven and may instead focus on an exploratory approach or the development of a new technology.
Eligible researchers can submit an application in any area of research that is predominantly within NERC’s remit.
If your research spans different disciplines, read more about the Cross-Council Remit Agreement.
Pushing the Frontiers: changes to delivery mechanisms
From early 2026, we are removing closing dates from our Pushing the Frontiers scheme and adapting our assessment mechanism, making our processes simpler and more consistent for our communities.
We’re making these changes to:
- give applicants greater flexibility, by allowing them to submit at any time
- balance workloads more effectively for applicants, reviewers, panel members and NERC staff
- align with UKRI’s approach to delivering applicant-led responsive funding opportunities – no closing dates
- align with UKRI’s assessment process of expert review for applicant-led opportunities
Moving to an always-open funding opportunity
What is changing
No deadlines means applications can be submitted at any time throughout the year.
The assessment process means applications will be assessed by expert review. Those that meet a suitable quality threshold will proceed to moderation panel. Panel meetings will be held on a regular cycle to make funding recommendations.
No organisational demand management caps, on a trial basis. Submitting organisations are strongly encouraged to maintain internal prioritisation and quality assurance processes to ensure applications are competitive.
What is not changing
We remain committed to funding a balanced portfolio of adventurous and ambitious high reward curiosity-driven environmental research and maintaining a fair, efficient, and excellent research funding ecosystem.
There will be no changes to:
- the budget for Pushing the Frontiers
- NERC capacity to assess applications
- the application process and scope of the opportunity
New approach launch
The final round of Pushing the Frontiers under the current model closes on 21 January 2026, with funding decisions expected in July 2026.
The new always-open approach is expected to launch in early 2026. Further information on anticipated decision-making timelines and processes will be made available at this time.