UKRI policy fellowships 2026 (Sector Transition)

Notify Faculty of intention to apply by: 16 July 2026
Closing date: 10 September 2026

The 2026 UKRI Policy Fellowships are now open and offer applicants the opportunity to apply to one of 50 specific fellowship positions with a select group of host partners. 

Scope

Three types of fellowships are offered:  Core Policy fellowships; What Works Innovation fellowships; and Natural Hazards and Resilience fellowships. A full list of the individual fellowships on offer and the host partners can be found on the funder page for this opportunity.

Eligibility

This funding opportunity is open to academics who hold a doctorate or who can evidence equivalent research experience, can demonstrate relevant subject matter or methodological expertise, and are aiming to transfer knowledge and skills across academic and policy sectors to enable new approaches. Applicants must be based at an eligible UKRI research organisation.

Policy fellowship positions with a UK or devolved government host are aimed at early to mid-career academics with an interest in learning more about connecting academic research with policymaking. Fellowships with a What Works Network host are open to applicants of all career stages.

You are not eligible to apply to this fellowship if you have:

• already undertaken or are currently undertaking a UKRI policy fellowship
• part of the fellowship project under consideration as a grant application with any organisation

Duration and Value

The full economic cost (FEC) of a project (of which the UKRI will fund 80%) can be up to:

• £180,000 for Core Policy fellowships
• £220,000 for What Works Innovation fellowships
• £280,000 for Natural Hazards and Resilience fellowships

The fellowship takes place over 18 months in three phases: Inception phase (time commitment expected to be 0.4 FTE); Placement with hosts (up to 12 months at full time or part time (0.6 FTE minimum)); Knowledge exchange phase (time commitment expected to be 0.4 FTE). All fellowships are expected to start on 1 May 2027.

How to Apply 

Applications must be submitted via the UKRI's funding platform, The Funding Service (TFS) by Thursday 10 September 2026 at 4:00pm UK time. It is standard best practice that UKRI applications are submitted to the University of Oxford's central Research Services team 5 working days prior to the funder deadline, i.e. by 4pm Wednesday 3 September 2026. 

The Faculty requests that applicants interested in applying for one of these Fellowships notify us and identify the Fellowship they wish to apply for by Thursday 16th July 2026. Early career applicants must also secure the support of an established Faculty member as mentor by this time.