Shape Tomorrow’s Policy — Apply for UKRI Policy Fellowships 2025 Applications close on 15 July 2025

 

Program Overview
Policy Fellowships last for 18 months and will begin in February 2026. The fellowship includes an initial three-month inception phase to collaboratively design research with your host. You'll then spend 12 months embedded in a UK government or policy-focused organization (government departments, devolved administrations, What Works), followed by three months dedicated to knowledge exchange back at your institution 

Fellowship Strands
The scheme supports three distinct streams:

• Core Policy Fellowships for early- to mid-career researchers in priority policy areas aligned with UK government missions
• Natural Hazards & Resilience Fellowships to inform strategies on climate change, public health emergencies, disasters
• What Works Innovation Fellowships open to all stages, based in the What Works Network, enhancing evidence use in health, education, crime, aging, and more 

Eligibility Requirements

You must hold a PhD or equivalent research experience and be based at a UKRI-funded UK research institution. Applicants should demonstrate subject expertise, interdisciplinary or analytical skills, strong communication abilities, and a commitment to impactful stakeholder engagement 

Funding & Benefits
Fellowships are fully funded (covering up to 80 % full economic costs), with funding bands of approximately £180k for core, £280k for resilience, and £220k for What Works, plus an additional £15k flexible budget for travel, mentoring, and research activities  You’ll work in the midst of policy action, receive mentorship, training, join a cohort of fellows, and form lasting collaborations between academia and government 

Application Timeline

Applications open on UKRI’s Funding Finder now and close on 15 July 2025 at 4 pm UK time—no late submissions accepted  Early coordination with your university’s research office and UKRI Funding Service account setup is highly recommended due to institutional review time.

Selection Criteria & Process

UKRI and host panels will assess your alignment with the chosen position, research excellence, policy impact potential, and ability to bridge academic–policy boundaries  Prepare to address criteria like stakeholder engagement capacity, interdisciplinary insight, and policy-relevant communication skills .

Why Apply

Joining the UKRI Policy Fellowships places you at the nexus of research and real-world impact, providing unmatched exposure to government processes, evidence-based decision-making, and professional pathways beyond academia. You’ll build networks, influence public policy on pressing societal challenges, and gain unmatched skills in knowledge exchange.

Shape Tomorrow’s Policy — Apply for UKRI Policy Fellowships 2025