The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is a non-departmental public body funded by the UK government through the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The NERC is the UK's main agency for funding and managing research, training and knowledge exchange in the environmental sciences. NERC fund around 1400 postgraduate students each year. Most are studying for PhDs. Others are studying for MSc or MRes degrees.
Your award and additional funding
Basic stipend amounts are confirmed each year for all the UK Research Councils by their governing body, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Most awards will provide funding towards fees and an annual maintenance grant award.
How your award is paid to you
Stipends are paid directly into your bank account in monthly in advance instalments.
Proof of your award and funding
The University can provide you with written confirmation of your Research Council funding.
You should contact your College/School directly to request this.
Leave of absence
The NERC does allow leave of absences to be taken from funded studies for medical and personal reasons, including maternity leave. PhD students receiving a stipend from a doctoral training grant are entitled to receive a stipend during maternity leave in line with statutory maternity provision. They will also have their studentships extended by a corresponding length of time.
Retrospective leave of absence requests will only be considered by the NERC under exceptional circumstances.
Extending your registration or submission date
Extensions to your normal period of registration should be discussed with your Supervisor as part of your annual progress review meeting. If you are in writing up status, an extension to the submission date of your thesis may be approved for personal or medical reasons. Retrospective extension requests will only be considered by the NERC under exceptional circumstances.
As the NERC only fund their students when they are normally registered, you will not receive additional funding for an extension in your writing up period
Changing from full-time to part-time
The NERC will support a transfer from full-time study to part time study (or vice versa) if the request is supported by your School and College. You should discuss any potential changes to your registration status with your Supervisor. Transfers between full time and part time study are only permitted during your period of normal registration. Retrospective transfer requests will only be considered by the NERC under exceptional circumstances.
Disabled Students Allowances
To find out if you are eligible for a DSA please visit the UKRI website and read the following guidelines:
To apply for a DSA you will need to contact Disability Services, who will provide you with the relevant forms and can give you further advice about eligibility.
Need more help?
You should contact your College/School directly if you have any queries about your funding which have not been answered on this page.
Before you send an email, you should make sure you have read the information for students funded by the NERC and Research Council training grant guidance: