Written question asked by Barry Gardiner (Labour) on Monday, 20 November 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 23 November 2023 (named day). It was answered by Andrew Griffith (Conservative) on Thursday, 23 November 2023 on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Polar Regions: Research

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of Natural Environment Research Council funding rules on UK Polar research.

Answer: The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is the leading funder of natural environment research in the United Kingdom. The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is part of NERC and operates polar infrastructure and facilities on NERC’s behalf, including the polar research vessel and research stations, to enable polar science and research activity. NERC funding, including to polar research, is delivered via competitive, peer-reviewed application processes. Awards are made to Research Organisations based on terms and conditions detailed in NERC’s Research Grants and Fellowships Handbook. NERC also supports strategic research and national capability programmes.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 2450
Session: 2023-24
Subjects: Finance Research Natural Environment Research Council Polar regions
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk