What is a NERC Independent Research Fellowship?
The NERC Independent Research Fellowship (IRF) provides five years of funding for exceptional early-career researchers to establish an independent research programme within the remit of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).
The fellowship is funded by NERC, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which supports research and innovation in environmental science. Fellows benefit from a supportive research environment at The University of Manchester, with access to strong interdisciplinary links across science and engineering.
Early discussion with the relevant department is strongly recommended to confirm suitability and sponsorship. Some departments may operate additional internal processes, including an Expression of Interest (EOI).
Key information
Status: Opens 25 February 2026 and closes 16 June 2026.
Eligibility:
- Hold a PhD, or expect to submit your thesis before interview
- Have not held a permanent lectureship or an equivalent
- Be an early-career researcher with the potential to develop as an independent-research leader
- Propose research aligned with NERC’s remit
- Meet the funder’s eligibility requirements for career stage and experience.
Funding: A five-year, full-time fellowship. Part-time (pro rata) may be possible to accommodate caring responsibilities.
Studentships are not funded as part of this scheme.
Before you apply: To help you develop a competitive proposal, we encourage prospective applicants to contact us well ahead of the funder’s deadline. Early conversations can:
- Identify potential academic sponsors
- Clarify departmental requirements, including any Expression of Interest processes.
Benefits of the NERC Independent Research Fellowship
Fellows receive five years of funding to establish an independent research programme in Earth and environmental sciences at The University of Manchester.
Manchester supports researchers at all career stages, promoting equality of opportunity and offering guidance on fellowship schemes, funding applications and support for childcare or other responsibilities. Fellows join a vibrant research environment with access to interdisciplinary expertise across science and engineering.
As a Fellow at Manchester, you’ll benefit from:
- A strong research environment in Earth, environmental and related sciences
- Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across the Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Access to specialist facilities, laboratories and data infrastructure
- Tailored mentoring from senior academics
- Support with major grant applications and career development.
Application process
Confirm that you meet the fellowship’s eligibility criteria before preparing an application.
To apply, you must:
- Hold a PhD (or expect to submit before interview)
- Have not held a permanent lectureship or an equivalent
- Be an early-career researcher with the potential to establish independence
- Propose research aligned with NERC’s remit.
Full eligibility criteria are set by the funder and should be reviewed carefully before applying.
You must contact a department well in advance of the funder deadline to confirm support and understand any internal requirements.
Some departments may operate additional internal processes, including an Expression of Interest (EOI) or internal selection, which may affect how and when you apply.
Contact:
- For advice on departmental fit and internal processes, contact a potential supervisor in the first instance by searching Research Explorer.
If, after carefully reviewing Research Explorer, you are unable to identify a suitable supervisor whose expertise aligns with your proposal, you may contact the Department\’s Head of Research for further guidance. - For all other queries, including application development support, please contact the FSE Research Development and Innovation team.
As part of this initial engagement, you may be asked to discuss:
- Your proposed fellowship project
- Its alignment with departmental priorities.
Be prepared to provide:
- A CV
- A brief outline of your proposed fellowship project.
Early engagement helps to confirm departmental fit, identify appropriate sponsors and allow time for any required internal review.
Once departmental support is confirmed, you can prepare your application for submission to the funder.
Applications must be submitted via the UKRI Funding Service.
A typical application includes:
- A detailed research proposal
- Justification of resources
- CV and track record
- Host statement from The University of Manchester
- References (as required by the scheme year).
Please note that Manchester’s internal review process may require materials several weeks before the funder's deadline.
After submission, your application will be assessed by the funder.
This typically includes:
- External peer review
- Shortlisting by NERC panels
- Interviews for selected candidates.
Final funding decisions are made by the funder. Successful candidates will then agree start dates with their host institution.
What our fellows say
“The Fellowship has given me the time, freedom and support to build my own geochemistry research group at The University of Manchester. With access to specialist laboratories and a collaborative research culture, I’m able to explore how Earth acquired its oceans and atmosphere and evolved into the habitable planet we know today. Together, the support from NERC and The University of Manchester has helped me establish a strong foundation for the next stage of my research career.”
Dr Michael Broadley / NERC Independent Research Fellow
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Because the University must prepare a host statement and complete internal quality checks, we typically require applicants to submit draft materials several weeks before NERC’s official deadline. Exact timelines vary by department, so contact your potential supervisor early to confirm dates.
Search Research Explorer to identify a potential supervisor whose expertise aligns with your proposed project, then contact them directly to discuss your application.
Prospective applicants receive support identifying an academic sponsor, refining their research proposal and navigating internal review. You’ll also have access to guidance on developing a competitive fellowship application, feedback from senior academics, and information about facilities and research groups you can incorporate into your proposal.
Further questions? Contact us
Fellowship scheme questions
- For queries about eligibility, funding rules or NERC processes, contact the NERC Fellowship team at fellowships@nerc.ukri.org.
Manchester-specific queries
-
Departmental fit and internal processes
- For advice on departmental fit and internal requirements, contact a potential supervisor in the first instance by searching Research Explorer. If, after carefully reviewing Research Explorer, you are unable to identify a suitable supervisor whose expertise aligns with your proposal, you may contact the Department’s Head of Research for further guidance.
-
Application development and other Faculty queries
- For all other queries, including application development support, please contact the FSE Research Development and Innovation team.