ACCE+ DLA have received funding for up to four NERC Research Experience Placements (REPs) across ACCE+ DLA this summer. We invite project proposals to be submitted by supervisors for this year’s scheme.
The aim of the scheme is to encourage undergraduates to consider a career in the environmental sciences. While NERC wishes to address the quantitative skills gap in environmental sciences, the scheme is open to undergraduates from all degree subjects. Projects should be within the NERC remit, though the project should not be entirely modelling-based (the project should contain some e.g. field or lab work). Projects submitted should be designed to be feasible over the summer period.
Proposed REP student projects are also subject to suitability criteria. Proposed projects must:
• Have a clearly defined objective
• Be within the science remit of NERC
• Be feasible for a student to complete within the timescale of the placement
• Include more than purely a computer/modelling component i.e., some element of fieldwork, data collection, activity to give an understanding of the wider context including participation in lab/team meetings, networking, and training etc.
• Give scope for thought and initiative on the part of the student and should not use the student as a general assistant
• Be based at an eligible UK research organisation (remote placements are also an option for enabling inclusivity).
Supervisors submitting a project idea should have experience of research in the NERC area. Early Career Researchers (ECRs) are welcome to submit a project, if a more experienced supervisor is also on the team.
A £500 contribution to research costs is available for each REP student, and each student will be paid at least national minimum wage for the duration of the placement (pay varies depending on the ACCE+ institution the student is based at). Placements should be 6-10 weeks in length; please contact us at this email address if you are considering a placement longer than 8 weeks, to ensure it is costed appropriately. Please note that a report on each successful project, following project completion, is required to be submitted by 31st October 2025, in order to claim the REPs funding from NERC.
The timetable for REPs is as follows:
- Project proposals to be submitted to ACCE via the below Google form link by 12noon on Friday 23rd May 2025. If a number of proposals are received, projects will be sifted by ACCE Management Board, and a decision will be made on which projects to take forward
Project proposal submission Google form link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1BdvB_pSL5c0c3qJQY6fpreq0Ja61Tk_481Pr0gOu2ec/preview
Please note that not all REPs projects submitted are guaranteed to go ahead and advertise for a student; the ACCE+ DLA Management Board will review all projects received and decide which projects will go ahead, if more than the maximum number are submitted. ACCE+ DLA will confirm with supervisors after the project closing date, if your project has been selected for advertising.
Normally international students who do not already have the right to work in the UK, are not eligible to apply for a REPs project.