Arctic Research Programme
Announcement of Opportunity: First funding round - Call for Expressions of Interest
Closing date: 16:00 on 29 July 2010
Proposals are invited for the first and main funding round of a major new research programme on the Arctic. This £15m programme directly relates to the delivery of NERC strategy, in particular the climate systems, Earth system science, biodiversity and natural hazards science themes. This programme is also expected to contribute to Living With Environmental Change (LWEC).
This call is for Expressions of Interest (EoIs) describing proposals to deliver across the programme's objectives and address the questions posed within the related science topics. Please refer to the programme's science plan for full details.
The overarching aim of the programme is to improve capability to predict changes in the Arctic, particularly over timescales of months to decades, including regional impacts and the potential for feedbacks on the global Earth System.
This will be achieved via four linked scientific objectives:
- Objective 1: Understanding and attributing the current rapid changes in the Arctic
- Objective 2: Quantifying Arctic processes leading to methane and carbon dioxide release
- Objective 3: Reducing uncertainty in Arctic climate and associated regional biogeochemistry predictions
- Objective 4: Assessing the likely risks of submarine hazards associated with rapid Arctic climate change
Up to £10m is expected to be available in this funding round for research projects (including any fieldwork/facility costs). The programme anticipates supporting standard grants and consortium grants.
It is mandatory to submit an EoI in order to participate in the funding round at the full proposal stage. All EoIs received will be checked by NERC against programme scope and feasibility and those identified as unsuitable will not be invited to proceed to the full proposal stage.
Information on all EoIs proceeding to the full proposal stage will be published on the NERC website; this will comprise details of project titles and investigators/institutions involved.
The closing date for Expressions of Interest is 16:00 on 29 July 2010. EoI forms must be submitted as an email attachment to arctic-pag@nerc.ac.uk.
Please see the Announcement of Opportunity document below for full details of the call.
Announcement of Opportunity (67KB)
Expression of Interest form and guidance:
Expression of Interest form (46KB)
Notes for completion of EoI form (26KB)
A workshop will be held 29-30 September 2010 to share information about the programme and support the formation of new collaborations and the integration and alignment of projects prior to the development of full proposals.
Applications to attend the workshop from those intending to submit Expressions of Interest or interested in participating in the programme are invited under a separate call.
For further information about this announcement of opportunity please contact:
Dr Sarah Collinge
Tel: 01793 411936
Dr Louisa Watts
Tel: 01793 411609