UKRI Policy Fellowships 2025 Inviting New Applications – YOA

Are you a UK-primarily based researcher able to apply your experience the place it issues most—on the coronary heart of presidency? The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Policy Fellowships 2025 program is formally opening on 22 April 2025, providing a singular 18-month alternative for researchers to work intently with authorities departments and coverage organizations to assist resolve urgent nationwide and world challenges.

Whether you’re an early-profession researcher keen to interact with the coverage world or a mid-profession educational able to translate your analysis into impactful public motion, this could possibly be the chance that propels your work into actual-world affect.

About the Fellowship

UKRI, in partnership with the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), is providing 42 coverage fellowships throughout three main streams:

1. Core Policy Fellowships
   Work inside UK or devolved authorities departments specializing in precedence areas like NHS transformation, financial progress, public security, and clear power transitions.

2. Natural Hazards and Resilience Policy Fellowships
   Contribute to authorities preparedness for pure disasters, pandemics, vital infrastructure breakdowns, and different non-malicious hazards.

3. What Works Innovation Fellowships
   Join the What Works Network to spice up the usage of proof in policymaking associated to schooling, crime discount, kids and households, growing older populations, and pupil outcomes.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible, it’s essential to:

• Be primarily based at a UKRI-eligible UK analysis organisation.
• Hold a PhD or equal postdoctoral analysis expertise.
• Possess subject material or methodological experience related to the fellowship place.
• For core and pure hazard tracks: Be an early to mid-profession researcher.
• For What Works Innovation: All profession levels are welcome.

Additional eligibility necessities, together with safety clearance or residency obligations, could apply primarily based on the precise fellowship host. These particulars are offered within the particular person place descriptions.

Fellowship Funding

The fellowships are generously funded at 80% of full financial prices (FEC), masking:

• Up to £180,000 for Core Policy Fellowships
• Up to £280,000 for Natural Hazards and Resilience Fellowships (consists of £100,000 for collaboration)
• Up to £220,000 for What Works Innovation Fellowships (consists of £40,000 for collaboration)

All candidates should embrace an further £15,000 versatile price range for journey, coaching, and mentorship help.

Fellowship Timeline and Phases

Each fellowship lasts 18 months, starting in February 2026, and consists of:

• 3-month Inception Phase: Project planning, onboarding, knowledge entry, and induction.
• 12-month Placement: Working full-time or part-time (minimal 0.6 FTE) on the host organisation.
• 3-month Knowledge Exchange Phase: Returning to your establishment to maximise influence and have interaction with wider educational and coverage audiences.

What You’ll Do?

• Co-design analysis together with your host to align with their coverage priorities.
• Deliver strong evaluation to tell actual-time determination-making.
• Support information trade between academia and public coverage.
• Participate in a coverage fellows cohort and cross-authorities occasions.
• Publish outputs (topic to clearance) and construct lengthy-time period networks.

Participating Hosts Include:

• For Core Policy Fellowships: Cabinet Office, HM Treasury, Home Office, FCDO, DfE, DCMS, DWP, MoJ, Ofsted, Scottish Government, Welsh Government, and extra.
• For Natural Hazards Fellowships: UKHSA, Environment Agency, DESNZ, Defra, and extra.
• For What Works Innovation Fellowships: Education Endowment Foundation, Centre for Ageing Better, TASO, Foundations, and the College of Policing.

Institutional Support Required

Your using group should:

• Support your time dedication to the fellowship.
• Assign a mentor (for early-profession researchers).
• Ensure entry to sources and infrastructure.
• Provide a robust endorsement as part of the application.

Application Deadlines

• Application Opens: 22 April 2025, 9:00am UK Time
• Application Closes: 15 July 2025, 4:00pm UK Time

You should apply by the UKRI Funding Service (https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/ukri-policy-fellowships-2025/). Your analysis workplace might want to submit your application in your behalf. Do not wait till the final minute, as registration of recent establishments on the platform can take as much as 10 working days.