UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Policy Fellowships 2025/26

Omran Aburayya
May 8
3 min read

If you're a researcher eager to bridge the gap between academia and policymaking, the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Policy Fellowships 2025 present a remarkable opportunity. Applications are now open for this prestigious program, designed to embed researchers within UK government departments and the What Works Network to inform policies addressing pressing national and global challenges.

🎓 Scholarship Summary

Location: United Kingdom
Host Institutions: UK government departments, devolved administrations, arm’s length bodies, and What Works Network members
Academic Level: Postdoctoral researchers (PhD holders or equivalent experience)
Target Group: Early to mid-career researchers (all career stages for What Works Innovation fellowships)
Fields of Research: Varies by fellowship; includes public policy, natural hazards, resilience, education, crime reduction, and more
Award Value and Coverage: £180,000–£280,000 (UKRI covers 80% of full economic costs)
Award Duration: 18 months (3 months inception, 12 months placement, 3 months knowledge exchange)
Application Deadline: 15 July 2025, 4:00 PM UK time
Start Date: February 2026
Eligible to: Researchers based at UKRI-eligible UK research organizations

📚 Fellowship Overview

The UKRI Policy Fellowships 2025 aim to enhance the exchange of knowledge between academia and policy institutions. Fellows will co-design research projects with host organizations to inform policy on priority areas. The program offers three types of fellowships:

Core Policy Fellows: Embedded within UK or devolved government departments or arm’s length bodies, focusing on key public policy areas aligned with government missions such as economic growth, healthcare, and clean energy.
Natural Hazards and Resilience Policy Fellows: Working with hosts to support preparedness for risks posed by natural hazards, including health risks, flooding, and loss of essential services.
What Works Innovation Fellows: Based within the What Works Network, focusing on areas like educational achievement, crime reduction, and improving quality of life for older people.

Fellows will participate in a cohort, attend policy training workshops, and engage in knowledge exchange activities across government and academia.

🎁 Fellowship Benefits

Opportunity to inform decision-making on critical policy issues
Enhanced understanding of government analysis, operations, and policymaking
Access to novel data and research opportunities
Networking with policy and analytical professionals
Participation in a cohort of policy fellows for career development
Access to public policy-focused mentoring
Potential to influence future policy-academia collaborations
Opportunities for publication across policy and academia.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

Hold a PhD or equivalent research experience
Be based at a UKRI-eligible UK research organization
Be a researcher in an eligible discipline relevant to the specific fellowship position
Demonstrate subject matter and analytical expertise relevant to the fellowship
Possess excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
Be interested in working within a governmental context
Meet any additional eligibility and person specification criteria for the specific fellowship

📝 Application Procedure

Review Fellowship Descriptions: Examine the specific fellowship positions and their requirements on the UKRI website.
Create a Funding Service Account: Sign in or create an account on the UKRI Funding Service.
Prepare Application Materials: Answer application questions directly in the text boxes provided. If required, upload additional documents as specified.
Project Title: Use the specific position title indicated in the fellowship description.
Institutional Approval: Submit the completed application to your research office for review and submission to UKRI.