Who we are
About NERC
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is the driving force of investment in environmental science in the UK. We advance the frontier of environmental science by commissioning new research, infrastructure and training that delivers valuable scientific breakthroughs.
NERC invests public money in world-leading science, designed to help us sustain and benefit from our natural resources, predict and respond to natural hazards and understand environmental change.
NERC is the driving force of investment in environmental science.
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is the UK’s leading public funder of environmental science. We invest £330 million each year in cutting-edge research, postgraduate training and innovation in universities and research centres.
What we do
NERC scientists study and monitor the physical, chemical and biological processes that our planet and life itself depend on – from pole to pole, from the deep Earth and oceans to the atmosphere and space.
NERC also funds national capability – the large research infrastructure, services, facilities and data centres that enable the research and make its results available. This includes research stations around the globe, a fleet of ships and aircraft, and satellite technology to monitor gradual environmental change on a global scale.
We also provide what are known as national good services, for example advice to government when there is a national or international environmental emergency such as a flood or earthquake.
NERC works in partnership with business, government, civil society, the public and the wider research community to shape the environmental research and innovation agenda. Our science provides knowledge, skills and technology that deliver sustainable economic growth and public wellbeing.
Vision and purpose
Our vision
To place environmental science at the heart of responsible management of our planet.
We no longer live in a natural world – there is virtually no part of the environment that we have left unchanged. Our growing population and the way we live has changed our relationship with the environment, and humans are now the dominant source of change.
People around the world aspire to escape poverty and improve living standards. Achieving this whilst living within the Earth’s limits is a great challenge of the 21st century.
NERC science has a critical role to play in meeting this challenge, to help the UK deliver innovation and growth with responsible environmental management.
Our purpose
NERC was created in 1965 when a number of environmental research organisations and surveys were brought together by Royal Charter.
From 1 April 2018 NERC became part of UK Research & Innovation, which brings together the UK’s seven research councils, Innovate UK and Research England to maximise the contribution of each council and create the best environment for research and innovation to flourish. The vision is to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.
NERC responsibilities, as set out in the Higher Education & Research Act 2017, are to:
- carry out research into environmental science, technology and new ideas
- encourage and support the provision of postgraduate training in environmental science, technology and new ideas
- facilitate, encourage and support environmental research, technology and new ideas
- facilitate, encourage and support the development and exploitation of environmental science, technology and new ideas
- facilitate, encourage and support knowledge exchange in relation to environmental science, technology and new ideas
- collect, disseminate and advance knowledge in environmental science, technology and new ideas
- promote awareness and understanding of environmental science, technology and new ideas
- provide advice on any matter relating to NERC functions
- promote awareness and understanding of NERC activities.