Early Independence NERC Indepen

Application Limit: Cannot submit to concurrent Fellowship investment framework.

Assessment Areas: Vision. Approach. Applicant capability to deliver. Career development. Host organisation support. Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Resources and cost justification. Ethics and responsible research and innovation.

Assessment Process: Panel assessment followed by interview stage.

Data Management Requirement: Must comply with UKRI open research policy and NERC data policy. Must complete Data management and sharing section.

Decision Authority: NERC makes final funding decision.

Decision Risks: Out of remit applications rejected. Failure to meet independence criteria may affect outcome. Incomplete facility approvals may affect award.

Decision Timeline: Interview invitations expected by February 2027. Funding decisions expected by May 2027.

Eligible Expenses: Facilities costs. Cruise costs. Directly incurred costs. Minor travel expenses. Individual consumables under £25,000. Ship and marine equipment where applicable. Relocation and visa costs for fellow. Estates and indirect costs calculated by host.

Facilities Rules: Technical assessment required for certain NERC facilities. Ship time and marine equipment applications must be approved before submission. Antarctic logistics require approved planning questionnaire.

Funding Rate: 80% of full economic cost

Host Organisation Requirement: Must provide support and confirm in Host organisation support section. Must agree commitment with head of department.

Important Notes: Only named role in core team section is Fellow. Project partners fund their own involvement except minor expenses. Resources purchased belong to host institution at end of fellowship.

Independence Requirement: Must demonstrate independence from senior collaborators. Must show own research questions.

Individual Eligibility: Must be early career researcher. Must hold a PhD or have equivalent research experience with evidence of leadership potential. If completing a PhD, thesis must be submitted before interview and awarded before start date.

Ineligible Applicants: Individuals who hold or have held a lecturer level post that allowed establishment of a research group. Holders of equivalent competitive fellowships allowing independent group leadership. Holders of tenured academic posts.

Ineligible Expenses: PhD studentships. Research and innovation associate costs. Equipment items of £25,000 or more.

International Applicants: Open to applicants of any nationality. Fellowship must be based at a UK eligible organisation. Visa compliance required. Eligible for Global Talent visa consideration.

Interview Stage: Interviews held February to March 2027. Presentation required. Scientific and non scientific questions assessed.

Part Time Option: Minimum 0.5 FTE. Fellowship length extended pro rata. Cannot hold another part time role alongside fellowship.

Project Duration: Five years

Publication Date: 2026-02-25 00:00:00

Renewal Rules: Not specified

Responsible Research Requirement: Must adopt responsible research practices. Must consider environmental impact, local community and equality considerations.

Resubmissions: Identical resubmissions not permitted. Revised applications allowed if feedback addressed.

Scope: Independent investigator led environmental research within NERC remit. Multidisciplinary projects allowed if primary focus falls within NERC remit.

Start Deadline: Must start by 15 August 2027

Total Fund Available: £7,250,000

Triage Stage: Applications scored before panel meeting. Cut off applied to shortlist for discussion.