NCAS Long Term Science - Single Centre

NCAS is NERC's research centre for atmospheric science, providing National Capability in atmospheric science and also conducting pure and applied research.

This proposal sets out the NCAS plans for its National Capability Long-Term Science - Single programme and activities, for the period April 2018 to March 2023. Within this proposal, a set of LTS-Single Underpinning activities are described and the case for funding made. The activities are set in the context of wider NCAS and external activities, including NCAS research programmes. No funding is requested for long-term science research programmes under this call since the entire NCAS LTS-Single budget is proposed to be dedicated to LTS-Single Underpinning activities.

The particular activities for which funding is sought are ones which NERC classifies as "underpinning" long term science. These are long term activities, platforms and technical capability in support of long term scientific research in atmospheric science. Specifically NCAS proposes underpinning activities in the following areas:
1. Long term measurements;
2. Physical science;
3. Numerical modelling and evaluation;
4. Modelling support;
5. Education and training.

Impacts on society through Government

The LTS-Single programme is one of the key strands of centre work that enable NCAS to generate impacts from its research that benefit society, particularly through the use of NCAS science in Government and by international bodies that are responsible for regulation and policy in areas of air pollution, ozone and climate change. The actual mechanisms by which these LTS-Single activities are used ro create impact are at the heart of the NCAS National and Public Good (NPG) offering and are subject to a parallel NC-commissioning process, through which the costs of creating impact with Government and with international organisations will be funded. As examples:

1. NCAS generates policy impact from our research in the air pollution programme through our choices to invest in the leadership of the Defra Air Quality Expert Group and in advisory activities with other departments such as BEIS and DfT.

2. Leadership in long-term global change research allows the NCAS LTS-Single programme to directly influence global initiatives such as the quadrennial WMO/UNEP stratospheric ozone review, and to continue to set the international stratospheric ozone policy agenda.

3. In climate and high impact weather we chose to actively support both UK requirements for science and advice, particularly through collaboration with the Hadley Centre, and gain international influence through key paper contributions and scientific leadership in IPCC.

4. NCAS LTS-Single Underpinning activities, combined with the broader NCAS research programmes, services and facilities enable impact through support of Government during high impact events such as the volcanic eruptions and large scale industrial accidents.

Impacts on business and beyond

Knowledge of the current state of the atmosphere and the ability to predict its future behaviour is of value beyond academic users and government and has potential to create positive economic impacts for the UK through business. Over the past 10 years NCAS has grown its links with industry and now has a mature strategy for engagement and exploitation, using a range of mechanisms such as consulting, IP transfer, contract research and direct commercial exploitation. Some key industries have already gained value from NCAS research and future LTS-Single activities will enhance this. Some examples of planned impact in the commercial domain are:

1. The Climate and High Impact Weather research outputs will continue to support the development of new products and services for the reinsurance industries through engaging directly with individual companies and with wider trade bodies.

2. Atmospheric measurement will continue the development of new environmental products for exploitation by UK companies, including volcanic ash sensors and VOC detectors.

3. New numerical methods and observing research will continue to support the oil and gas sector in understanding emissions during both routine operations and emergency events.

4. Underpinning research on gas metrology will be translated outside of atmospheric science to support UK sectors with complex chemical hazard detection requirements such as fine chemicals manufacturing and defence security and screening.

Our strategy for engagement with businesses is to be selective and pursue only those opportunities where there is real large-scale impact potential for NCAS and where following a path to impact with commercial organisations does not draw on research funds. Rather our strategy is to use the full spectrum of routes that are available for supporting the development of commercial impact such as InnovateUK, KTNs, VC, ISCF and of course direct industrial funding.