NERC independent research fellowships

Summary

• Five-year fellowship to support early-career researchers seeking to establish an independent environmental research career.
• Open to scientists working within the NERC remit, including atmospheric, oceanic, and terrestrial physics, and Earth observation.
• Covers the fellow’s salary and research costs
• Applicants must have submitted their PhD thesis by the time of interview (typically March following the funder deadline) and must not hold a permanent academic post.
• All nationalities are eligible.
• All queries: fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk

Overview

The NERC Independent Research Fellowship (IRF) enables outstanding early-career environmental scientists to develop their research vision and leadership potential. The scheme supports individuals who demonstrate the ability to deliver independent, world-class research aligned with NERC’s remit, which spans the atmosphere, oceans, cryosphere, terrestrial and freshwater environments, and Earth observation science.

The fellowship provides five years of funding, including the fellow’s salary, research expenses, and travel costs. Supported applications must be made via the UKRI Funding Service (TFS). The 2025 call has not yet been published.  Further information, including last year's scheme guidance, is available on last year's call page.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• have submitted their PhD thesis before the fellowship interview (normally held in March of the year following submission);
• not hold a permanent academic position at the time of application;
• propose research that clearly falls within the NERC remit; and
• be able to demonstrate research leadership potential and the ability to deliver an independent programme of environmental research.

Applications are open to candidates of any nationality.

Applicants requiring support from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) must complete a pre-award operations support planning questionnaire as outlined in NERC guidance (usually due in early January).

Typical timeline 

The 2025 round was delayed by the funder. We are waiting for an announcement regarding the timings of the 2026 round. If you are interested in applying for a NERC-IRF in the 2026 round, please email our team to register your interest (fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk ). We will then update you directly once the call is announced.

Additional information

Sponsor - Applicants must secure an Oxford Physics academic sponsor in advance and copy them on the submission email.

EOI assessment - EOIs will be assessed against a condensed version of the NERC IRF criteria:

• Research excellence, originality, and importance within or beyond the field;
• Potential to advance current understanding or generate new knowledge;
• Timeliness and relevance within the environmental sciences context;
• Potential for world-leading impact on research, society, economy, or environment;
• Applicant’s capability and experience (relative to career stage) to deliver the work, including leadership potential and contribution to a positive research culture.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Oxford Physics supports flexible working and recognises that career paths are not linear. Applicants are encouraged to highlight contextual factors such as career breaks, caring responsibilities, or health-related circumstances in the EOI contextual information section.

Alternatively, details can be shared confidentially with the Research Facilitation Team at fellowships@physics.ox.ac.uk.

The department particularly welcomes EOIs from individuals from underrepresented groups in physics. If you have difficulty securing a sponsor or require specific support or accommodations during the process, please contact the Fellowships Facilitation Team (in confidence if required).

For more information, visit our ED&I webpage.