NCLRI funding provides for specialist, large research infrastructure that enables excellence and impact in national to global-scale environmental science. A characteristic of large-scale infrastructure is that its effective and financially viable provision requires a single, critical mass both in operations, and in technical and regulatory compliance. NCLRI operating costs, capital purchase and maintenance are met by other funding streams.
UK Research and Innovation requires its large-scale research infrastructure to be available to the entire UK research community, and to support research from all NERC funding streams. This infrastructure is a major asset which the UK cannot afford to duplicate, and which allows the UK to engage in world-leading international research programmes and partnerships, and international infrastructure barter programmes