Applications are currently being accepted for the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Policy Fellowship 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
About UKRI Policy Fellowship
The UKRI Policy Fellowship 2026 in the UK is a sector transition fellowship designed to transfer knowledge and skills between academia and policy. Fellows spend 18 months embedded with UK or devolved government hosts, What Works Network members, or arm’s length bodies, co-designing research to address pressing national and global challenges. This funded opportunity supports 50 fellows across three routes: Core Policy, Natural Hazards and Resilience, and What Works Innovation.
Benefits of UKRI Policy Fellowship
- Opportunity to undertake cutting edge research and access new data
- Total Project Budget: Worth between £180,000 and £280,000 over an 18-month duration.
- Inform decision-making on pressing policy problems
- Better understanding of government analysis, operations, and policymaking
- Build network of policy and analytical professionals
- Active participation in a cohort of policy fellows
- Access to public policy focused mentoring offer
- Potential to influence future policy-academia collaborations
- Opportunity for publication across policy and academia
- Funded mentorship support for early career researchers
- Line management and support from host partner
- Regular engagement and support from UKRI
UKRI Policy Fellowship Requirements
- Hold a doctorate or evidence equivalent postdoctoral-level research experience
- Be based at an eligible UKRI research organisation
- Be a researcher in remits relevant to the specific fellowship position
- Have subject matter and analytical expertise relevant to the position
- Meet any additional eligibility and person specification criteria for the specific position
- Be able to work effectively at pace and as part of a team
- Have ability to communicate complex information to non-academic audiences
- Possess excellent stakeholder engagement and collaboration skills
- Be interested in working in a governmental context
- Have ability to design and lead knowledge exchange activity
- Meet security, nationality checks, and right to work in the UK by 1 May 2027
- Not have already undertaken or be currently undertaking a UKRI policy fellowship
Application Date and Process
- Review the specific fellowship position requirements and confirm eligibility
- Select ‘Start application’ on the UKRI Funding finder page
- Sign in or create a Funding Service account
- Answer questions directly in the text boxes in the Funding Service
- Allow time to check your application in ‘read-only’ view before sending to research office
- Send completed application to your research office for checking
- Your research office will submit the completed and checked application to UKRI
- Ensure UKRI receives your application by 10 September 2026 at 4:00pm UK time
Application Deadline
10 September, 2026
Opportunity Application
View details of
UKRI Policy Fellowship
Apply for UKRI Policy Fellowship
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