Science into policy initiatives
NERC has a number of funding routes and initiatives that enable our researchers to engage with government, other public organisations and those who influence policymaking (eg civil society organisations).
Policy internships
These 3-month policy internships enable PhD students to work within a participating government organisation to gain experience at writing policy-relevant briefing notes or reports within a policy environment. NERC has two schemes:
- Policy internships for NERC funded PhD students
- Scottish Government internships for NERC funded PhD students
Policy Placement Scheme
The 3 to 24-month policy placement enables researchers to work with government policymakers or the third sector, or for government or third sector officials to work within NERC on relevant topic areas. For example, Dr Richard Dawson, from Newcastle University, worked with the Greater London Authority (GLA) on a 4-week placement, to assess the climate and energy implications of the London Plan 
.
The placement could also be up to one month's work-shadowing, organised by the applicant.
Knowledge Exchange Fellows
Fellows work with organisations to identify knowledge gaps and accelerate access to NERC research. For example, a fellow at the University of Leeds is working with researchers, business and policymakers directly involved in delivering the Water Framework Directive.
CASE (Collaborative Awards in Science & Engineering) Studentships
CASE enables the placement of a PhD student within a public or third sector organisation for 3 to 18 months. The focus of the studentship is determined by the CASE partner. For example, a student from the University of Sheffield worked with the British Trust for Ornithology to look at avian responses to climate change.
Systematic reviews
NERC expertise can be commissioned to conduct systematic reviews of policy relevant questions. For example, Harper Adams University College, co-funded by NERC and Defra, are currently undertaking a systematic review of five on-farming mitigation methods aimed at improving water quality.
Encouraging scientists to communicate with policymakers
Following a stakeholder workshop, a 'Science into policy: taking part in the process' brochure was produced, detailing the policy process and opportunities for engagement with science. Feedback is welcome - contact Faith Culshaw.
Science to policy workshop for NERC researchers
Approximately every six months NERC organises science to policy training workshops, usually in collaboration with a partner organisation. For example, recent events were:
- A joint NERC/British Ecological Society (BES) event for early career stage researchers on 18-19 May 2010 at the Defra Innovation Centre, Reading.
- A joint NERC/BES event for early career stage researchers on 5-6 May 2011 at Charles Darwin House, London.
Full details of these and other research funding streams, including how to apply, are available on the NERC knowledge exchange funding pages.
Examples of NERC science to policy can be found on the case studies pages.