Apply for UKRI Policy Fellowships Scheme – open until 10 September

A view across the river of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
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The Policy Unit are currently supporting applications for this year’s UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) Policy Fellowship Scheme, refreshed as part of UKRI’s new Sector Transition Fellowships framework.

The current challenges faced by the government are complex and broad-ranging. In facing them, forming relationships between research and policy has never been more important.

The UKRI-funded Policy Fellowship Scheme provides an opportunity for researchers to spend 18 months contributing to this vital relationship. It’s a chance to inform key policy decisions that government, arm’s length bodies and the What Works Network will make on pressing national issues through co-created applied research. 

In 2025, Loughborough University academics, with support from the Policy Unit, secured three successful applications to last year’s fellowship scheme: Dr Simona Rasciute joined the Department for Education, Dr Francisco Azpitarte supported the Department for Economy, and Dr Arman Mazhikeyev contributed to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. This made Loughborough one of the most successful applicants to the Fellowship Scheme, behind only Oxford, Cambridge and University College London. 

There are 50 fellowship opportunities available across three fellowship strands, with UKRI funding 80% of the full economic cost (FEC):  

Core Policy Fellowships 

  • Open to early and mid-career researchers 
  • Based within UK or devolved government, or an arm’s length body  
  • Fellowships aligned with Modern IS-8 sectors 
  • Project FEC up to £180,000 

Natural Hazards and Resilience Fellowships 

  • Open to early and mid-career researchers 
  • Based within UK or devolved government, or an arm’s length body 
  • Focus on resilience to natural hazards and pandemic preparedness 
  • Funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport 
  • Project FEC up to £280,000 

What Works Innovation Fellowships 

  • Open to all career stages 
  • Based in the What Works Network  
  • Focused on improving the design and delivery of public services 
  • Seeking projects aligned with homelessness, policing and place 
  • Project FEC up to £220,000 

Applications are open until 10 September 2026. Find out more about the scheme and apply.

If you’d like additional support or have any questions about this opportunity, please contact Michael Harry, Policy Unit Manager, at M.Harry@lboro.ac.uk.