Handbooks, guidance and forms

Download and read the NERC research grants and fellowships handbook, the NERC studentships and training handbook, along with panel meeting and referee guidance materials.

Research grants and fellowships

NERC research grants & fellowships handbook (full economic cost grants)

The NERC research grants and fellowships handbook was updated February 2021:

NERC research grants and fellowships handbook (PDF, 792KB)

Research grants handbook 2004 (for grants awarded prior to FEC)

Please contact researchgrants@nerc.ukri.org if you need a copy of this handbook.

Applications for no-cost extensions to research grants and fellowships
Please note that all applications for no-cost extensions to research grants and fellowships should be submitted to the UK Shared Business Services through the Je-S system. Grants cannot be extended once the end date has passed.

Sanctions

Late Final Expenditure Statement Submission
Sanctions incurred by Research Organisations due to late submission of NERC grant Final Expenditure Statements will be strictly applied for statements due after 1 July 2011. This is in accordance with the financial conditions detailed in the NERC research grants and fellowships handbook. The appropriate financial sanction will be automatically applied by the UK Shared Business Services.

Studentships and training

Terms and conditions of Research Council Training Grants

All doctoral training grants starting after 1 May 2014 will be governed under the UKRI harmonised postgraduate training terms and conditions - external link - and their associated guidance. Please ensure you are familiar with these before applying for a NERC studentship funding opportunity. The NERC studentship handbook will not apply to these studentships.

NERC Students that began prior to 1 May 2014

NERC studentships that began prior to 1 May 2014 fall under the terms and conditions contained within the NERC studentship handbook. Please note this guidance has been updated to reflect that it will no longer apply to NERC studentships after 1 May 2014.

NERC studentship handbook

NERC studentship handbook (PDF, 476KB)

NERC studentship handbook guidance

FAQs - Students (PDF, 91KB)

FAQs - Supervisors, Grant Holders, Student Services Officers and Finance Officers (PDF, 72KB)

Sanctions

Late Final Expenditure Statement Submission
Sanctions incurred by Research Organisations due to late submission of NERC grant Final Expenditure Statements will be strictly applied for statements due after 1 July 2011. This is in accordance with the financial conditions detailed in the NERC Studentship Handbook, paragraph 103. The appropriate financial sanction will be automatically applied by the UKRI Shared Services Centre.

Any queries should be sent to researchcareers@nerc.ukri.org.