The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has extended the deadline for the environmental science community to submit new ideas for ideas for new highlight topics in its strategic research programme from 16 May 2017 to 7 September 2017.

NERC is seeking ideas for research challenges from both researchers and those who use environmental science research that should be priorities for strategic research investment through strategic programme areas and highlight topics.

2016 saw the third cut-off for ideas for strategic programme areas. NERC's Strategic Programme Advisory Group (SPAG) reviewed the ideas and used a number of them to generate the proposals for strategic programme areas that were selected for scoping by NERC's Science Board:

enhancing the resilience of UK peatlands

designing future landscapes for biodiversity and ecosystem services

All submitters of ideas received by NERC will receive feedback, and there are no restrictions on resubmission of ideas that have not been used to develop potential investments in previous years.

NERC staff are available to discuss potential ideas and provide advice. For any queries on the process, or advice on a potential idea, contact NERC at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it in the first instance.

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