The Natural Environment Research Council invites notifications of intent for its highlight topics programme. This supports strategic research on defined topics within the environmental sciences. The highlight topics for this round are: •ionosphere at multiple scales; •environmental barriers to the spread of zoonotic pathogens; •creating resilient, productive and healthy urban environments; •drivers and climate implications of Antarctic sea ice loss; •urban climate feedbacks; •environmental basis for the prevention of zoonotic pathogen emergence. Grants may be held at approved UK HEIs, research council institutes and independent research organisations. The PI must be a UK resident, employed by an eligible research organisation as a lecturer or above. The total budget is worth up to £16 million for grants worth up to £4 million each at 80 per cent of full economic costs over up to four years. 

Website: https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/nerc-highlight-topics/