Biological Influence on Ocean Carbon: Novel Modelling Approaches

This funding call is centred on a critical climate science challenge: understanding how biological activity in the ocean modulates carbon storage and fluxes. While physical and chemical processes in ocean carbon models are relatively mature, biological complexity—such as plankton dynamics, nutrient cycling, and food web interactions—remains poorly represented.

UKRI is calling for proposals that:

• Develop or integrate novel biological modelling components

• Improve representation of feedback mechanisms between biology and carbon cycling

• Advance uncertainty quantification in marine biogeochemical models

• Incorporate biological variability over seasonal to decadal timescales

• Connect models with observations, including autonomous ocean sensors and satellite data

Proposals must demonstrate:

• Scientific originality

• Robust modelling methodologies

• Potential to improve UK and international climate predictions

As one of the largest carbon sinks on the planet, the ocean plays a vital role in regulating Earth’s climate. However, uncertainties around how biological processes like phytoplankton productivity, food web structure, and microbial activity affect carbon sequestration continue to limit our predictive confidence.

This funding opportunity is a direct response to recommendations from the UK Marine Science Coordination Committee and reflects priorities set out in the UKRI Environmental Strategy and Net Zero Research Portfolio.

By supporting advanced modelling of biological mechanisms, this programme aims to:

• Improve climate policy tools

• Guide ocean-based carbon removal strategies

• Inform international climate models (e.g. CMIP, IPCC)

“Understanding biological contributions to the ocean carbon cycle is essential to improving the robustness of future climate projections.”
— NERC Programme Team, UKRI