UKRI NERC Independent Research Fellowship Program 2022

Through an Independent Research Fellowship (IRF), NERC will invest in researchers seeking to conduct their own environmental research within an eligible host organisation.

Strong applicants will demonstrate convincing evidence of working towards this goal and a high potential to become independent research leaders in the future. Applicants will demonstrate that, if awarded an IRF, they will be working independently of senior colleagues with whom they might have previously collaborated or for whom they might be working currently in a supporting role.

About UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is a non-departmental public body of the Government of the United Kingdom that directs research and innovation funding, funded through the science budget of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Established on 1 April 2018 by the Higher Education and Research Act 2017, UKRI brought nine organisations into one unified body.UKRI was created following a report by Sir Paul Nurse, the President of the Royal Society, who recommended the merger in order to increase integrative cross-disciplinary r... read more

UKRI NERC Independent Research Fellowship Program

Aim and Benefits of UKRI NERC Independent Research Fellowship Program

• The total available fund is £7,400,000.

Requirements for UKRI NERC Independent Research Fellowship Program Qualification

• Open to applicants who hold a PhD qualification or expect to submit their PhD thesis before the fellowship interview takes place in March 2023.
• Individuals demonstrating an upward track to pursuing working independently and developing research leadership are encouraged to apply.
• Applicants should not apply if they currently hold a tenured academic post or academic position at lecturer level (or equivalent position).

Interview date, Process and Venue for UKRI NERC Independent Research Fellowship Program

Applicants must clearly demonstrate evidence of the following criteria:

• Suitability of the applicant:
  • excellence of their research achievements during their career to date
  • potential to lead and advance their research discipline
  • capability to work independently
• Research excellence
  • research proposal displays high levels of quality, timeliness, feasibility, novelty and vision
• Diversity, equity and inclusion is embedded throughout the proposal
• Level of support provided by the chosen host institution.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

You can find advice on completing your application in the:

• Je-S handbook
• NERC research grant and fellowships handbook.

For more details,visit UKRI website