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Preparing a funding proposal to NERC

Also in Preparing a funding proposal to NERC

If you are considering a research proposal that requires fieldwork support in Antarctica or the Arctic this section will help you prepare your funding submission to NERC.

Funding proposal planning process

  • Step 1

Check the costs of Antarctic logistic support and what your funding proposal should include

For fieldwork support using BAS-operated logistics in the Arctic, please contact the Arctic Office (arctic@bas.ac.uk) in the first instance for guidance on access and associated costs of logistic support to be included in your proposal.
  • Step 2

For proposals involving BAS Antarctic Logistic Support, complete a Pre award Operational Support Planning Questionnaire (OSPQ)

Funding proposals for projects involving BAS Antarctic Logistic Support must complete a Pre-Award OSPQ in line with the relevant deadline published on this page, and a minimum of 3-months prior to the funding call deadline.

When submitting a proposal to NERC, it is important that you state in the free-text field of the Facilities section that you will be using ‘BAS Antarctic Logistics Support’ and that you have applied to the facility. You should not submit your OSPQ or OSPQ feedback letter with the application, but you must confirm you have received your feedback letter and the request was fully supported by the Antarctic Access Office.
  • Step 3

Submit your research proposal to NERC

Scheduling of Fieldwork Support

Applicants should note that, for proposals submitted in response to NERC responsive mode funding opportunities during 2021 (including standard grant calls with closing dates in January and July 2021), the earliest Antarctic fieldwork season for logistic support of the funded projects will normally be 2022/2023. Although BAS will aim to support all the projects during that season, the timing of Antarctic fieldwork necessarily depends on numerous operational factors. BAS therefore reserves the right to decide on the timing of logistic support for individual projects, on the basis of the most efficient and effective use of its resources. For further information, please contact the Antarctic Access Office.

Regarding the scheduling of Arctic Fieldwork support, please contact the Arctic Office (arctic@bas.ac.uk) as early as possible.

BAS Polar Fieldwork Planning Process

The process BAS follows for polar fieldwork planning is detailed here.