What we do in detail
We are a non-departmental governmental public body, funded mainly by government through the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills. Although we receive public money, we remain independent of government.
NERC uses a budget of about £370m a year to fund research in universities and in our own research centres. The work we fund covers the full range of atmospheric, earth, terrestrial and aquatic sciences - from the depths of the oceans to observing the Earth from satellites in space. We work with many national and international partners, for example, the Met Office, the European Space Agency and NASA.
We invest in different types of research from "responsive research", through a range of directed research, to strategic research and survey work that is more applied or long-term and may underpin national and international needs.
Our work complements that of other research funders, such as the Environment Agency, the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and the European Union. We seek and encourage partnerships and collaborations to further the quest for better understanding of the environment. As one of seven research councils funded by the Government, we work collectively with the other councils on issues of common concern under the banner of Research Councils UK.
Our aim is to use our knowledge and understanding of the environment to contribute to a strong UK economy and to improve the quality of people's lives. We actively encourage public engagement in environmental science and its outcomes.
Related links
- NERC Council
- Science & Innovation Strategy Board
- NERC Executive Board
- Research centres & facilities (including collaborative centres)
- Audit Committee
- Peer Review College
External links
- Research Councils UK
- Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
- Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs