The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has introduced a new measure to improve its peer review process. In future, Principal Investigators of active NERC grants will, as a condition of funding, be required to serve as a member of the NERC Peer Review College if invited to do so. Failure to accept membership without adequate reason, or unsatisfactory performance as a Peer Review College member, could lead to the application of sanctions in the form of withdrawal of eligibility to apply for NERC research grants for a period of 12 months.

For joint grants the condition will apply to the Principal Investigators of all components.

The new condition will apply to any funded grant submitted to a call where the closing date is on or after 1 July 2012.