The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is inviting research proposals to its Biodiversity & Ecosystem Service Sustainability (BESS) research programme. The BESS programme is a six year £13m research programme, which will address the NERC strategic challenges regarding biodiversity research, and the UK governments’ strategic priorities with respect to biodiversity, ecosystems and their services.
The BESS programme will define the scientific basis of the linkages between biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and the delivery of ecosystem services; allow prediction of how these linkages will respond to future change scenarios; develop new tools and indicators that are fit-for-purpose for tracking biodiversity stocks and the flows of services from those stocks, so that they can be managed within sustainable bounds.
There are three funding opportunities currently available:
1. Fellowships of 36 months duration maximum.
Announcement of Opportunity – Fellowships (258KB)
2. Research grants of 24 months duration maximum and between £100,000-£150,000.
Announcement of Opportunity – Research grants (226KB)
3. Small grants of 12 months duration maximum and between £15,000-£20,000.
Announcement of Opportunity – Small grants (248KB)
The calls target specific research areas in order to complement and extend the BESS research portfolio, building on the existing consortia and studentship awards.
Applicants should refer to the respective full Announcement of Opportunity for each award type available. Applicants should also refer to the BESSScience, Implementation and Communications plans for full details of the programme.
Closing date for Full Proposals: 16:00 on Thursday 6 December 2012.