Pushing the Frontiers of Environmental Science 2026

Pushing the Frontiers supports researchers' curiosity and imagination to enable discoveries that unlock new knowledge with a degree of adventure previously unrealised. This funding opportunity seeks to invest in the best environmental researchers to be truly adventurous and ambitious in the pursuit of curiosity-driven, high-reward projects, which may or may not involve substantial risk. Applications are welcomed from individuals at any career stage and from research groups. The scheme supports pure, applied, technology-led or policy driven research that addresses, or provides the means to address, clearly defined environmental research questions. Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research, designed, supported and delivered in partnership with other research funders and research users, is particularly welcomed. Research must sit predominantly within NERC's research areas. From early 2026, this scheme is transitioning to an always-open funding opportunity with no closing dates, allowing applicants to submit at any time throughout the year. Applications will be assessed by expert review, with those meeting a quality threshold proceeding to moderation panel. This change aligns with UKRI's approach to delivering applicant-led responsive funding opportunities while maintaining the same budget and commitment to funding adventurous, high-reward curiosity-driven environmental research. The full economic cost of projects can be up to £950,000, with NERC funding 80% of the FEC (up to £760,000). There is no defined project duration, but awards are typically between three and four years.