Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 68
68
Accepted
Strengthen NERC's support for multilateral research by coordinating international funding more effectively.
Recommendation
We further recommend that the Natural Environment Research Council strengthen its successful support for multilateral research initiatives by developing mechanisms to coordinate international funding more effectively. This includes reducing the burden of “double jeopardy” where researchers must apply for and secure multiple streams of funding from different national agencies—often facing incompatible timelines or processes. More integrated funding approaches, including shared peer review and harmonised grant rounds, would support high-impact collaborative science and ensure that promising international projects are not lost due to administrative barriers. (Recommendation, Paragraph 283) 106
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, stating that NERC already supports multilateral research initiatives and reduces 'double jeopardy' through existing mechanisms like the Belmont Forum and Horizon Europe, which employ harmonised processes including shared peer review and grant rounds.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government accepts this recommendation. 89. NERC supports multilateral research initiatives by leveraging well-established mechanisms such as the Belmont Forum and Horizon Europe. To reduce the burden of “double jeopardy” in international research funding, NERC adopts harmonised research processes through these mechanisms that include shared peer review and harmonised grant rounds enabling researchers to focus on delivering impactful science. Multilateral initiatives serve as valuable platforms for building relationships and maintaining strong international collaborations. The existing mechanisms also provide insight into future multilateral opportunities aligned to UKRI-NERC strategic priorities. Multilateral opportunities often involve long lead times, typically a minimum of two years from initial budget indication to funding.