Natural Environment Research Council
Introduction
The NERC was established in 1965 under a Royal Charter and granted a Supplemental Charter in 1993. NERC is governed by a Council of seven members of the academic community and seven members of NERC's user community (government and industrial) together with a Chief Executive and part-time Chairman. Appointments are made by the President of the Board of Trade. Council is advised by Science and Technology Boards with membership divided roughly equally between academic and user members of the NERC community.
Some 75% of NERC funding is channelled through the Government's Science Budget, administered by the Office of Science and Technology. NERC research also attracts contract and co-funding from other government departments and public sector agencies, the private sector and international (including EU) sources. NERC supports research and training in its own Centres and Surveys and in the universities and other institutions.
| | Number of Staff | | | Expenditure (£m) |
| 1995/96 | 2,776 | | 1995/96 | 220.3 |
| 1996/97 | 2,765 | | 1996/97 | 208.1 |
| 1997/98 | 2,700 | | 1997/98 | 209.3 |
The NERC Annual Report, Accounts and Corporate Plan are publicly available and can be obtained from the same Communications Group at the above address. Various other NERC publications and reports are also readily available from the source.
Achievements in 1996/97
Funding was secured for major new research programmes on the Urban Environment and Clouds, Storms and Regional Meteorology. Other new programme starts include Environmental Diagnostics and Ecological Dynamics and Genes.
Agreement was reached on a new more cost effective method for allocating PhD studentships to university departments, allowing a greater flexibility in choice of research topics.
A new training initiative in Environmental Economics was launched.
The NERC implemented a new Career Fellowship Scheme with the appointment of 12 postdoctoral and Advanced Fellows, one Senior Research Fellow and two Research Professors.
The NERC has developed partnerships with public and private sector users to maximise the contribution of NERC science to UK competitiveness and quality of life. Links have been established with the construction, chemical and insurance industries and with key Foresight Panels. There is now joint funding for some NERC programmes and NERC is participating in collaborative schemes for research and training (eg LINK, TCS).
The NERC submitted evidence and advice to a number of Parliamentary Select Committees and Government Advisory Bodies on a range of environmental issues.
The NERC has produced resource/information packs for schools in close association with science teachers and educational organisations, including a new partnership with the Environment Agency and Unilever in sponsoring a CREST programme the Environment Research Challenge.
Three NERC Centres/Surveys the British Geological Survey, Centre for Coastal and Marine Sciences and Centre for Ecology and Hydrology were subject to Prior Options Reviews during 1996. Ministers announced in January 1997 that the functions of the establishments were needed and that they should remain in the public sector, retaining their separate identities. NERC will pursue the opportunities for rationalisation and restructuring identified, building on its arm's length relationship with the establishments.
Plans for 1997/98
A strategic review of the NERC portfolio will be completed, including the allocation of resources, to ensure the optimal delivery of the NERC Mission.
Two major new research programmes are planned to start the Joint Marine Environment Research Initiative and µ2M (understanding the micro to macro behaviour of fluid rock systems). With other funders, the NERC will review the opportunities for new initiatives in Environment and Health and for the integration of environmental information with social and economic values. The Council will participate in an OST-led study of Career Paths of past MSc and PhD students and promote active career management for NERC supported scientists. It will also undertake its own review of NERC support for Advanced Course (MSc) Studentships.
Key Performance Targets
The NERC Corporate Plan contains a range of objectives and associated targets, together with reports on progress against previous targets. Three examples are shown in the table below.
Key Performance Targets
|
| 1994/95
| 1995/96
| 1996/97
| 1997/98
|
Key Measure
|
Set
|
Achieved
|
Set
|
Achieved
|
Set
|
Achieved
|
Set
|
To reduce central administration costs
|
-
|
-
|
2.5%
|
2.5%
|
£8.31m
|
£8.31m
|
£7.97m
|
To retain at least 20% of science budget in support of non-thematic basic science (%)
|
*
|
19
|
*
|
16.4
|
20
|
20.9
|
20
|
To award at least 30% of PhD studentships in partnership mode (%)
|
*
|
23
|
30
|
26
|
30
|
30
|
30
|
* No specific targets set
|
| 
