Shape Policy with Your Expertise: UKRI Policy Fellowships 2025 Now Open!
Calling all passionate researchers! Are you eager to see your expertise inform real-world policy and contribute to tackling pressing national and global challenges? The prestigious UKRI Policy Fellowships 2025 are now inviting applications, offering a unique opportunity to embed yourself within government and make a tangible impact.
This high-profile initiative from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) provides a route for talented academics like you to bring your specialist knowledge to the heart of policymaking across the UK. It’s a chance to not only influence decisions but also to gain invaluable insights into the policy landscape and develop your career at the intersection of research and government.
What are the UKRI Policy Fellowships?
These demanding and intellectually stimulating 18-month fellowships offer a unique structure:
- 3-month Inception Phase: You’ll co-design your research project in collaboration with your host organization to ensure it directly addresses their policy priorities.
- 12-month Main Placement: You’ll be fully embedded within a UK or devolved government department or a What Works Network member, working directly with policymakers.
- 3-month Knowledge Exchange Phase: You’ll return to your institution to maximize the impact of your work and engage with wider academic and policy audiences.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
This exciting opportunity is open to researchers who:
- Are based at a UK-based organization eligible for UKRI funding.
- Hold a PhD or equivalent research experience.
- Possess relevant subject matter or methodological expertise aligned with the specific fellowship position.
- For Core Policy Fellowships and Natural Hazards and Resilience Policy Fellowships, are early to mid-career researchers.
- For What Works Innovation Fellowships, researchers at all career stages are welcome.
A Diverse Range of Host Organizations and Policy Challenges:
The UKRI Policy Fellowships 2025 offer placements across a wide array of influential host organizations, addressing critical policy areas. Examples include:
- UK Government Departments: Cabinet Office, HM Treasury, Home Office, FCDO, Department for Education, and many more, tackling issues from economic growth to public safety.
- Devolved Governments: Scottish Government and Welsh Government, focusing on regional policy priorities.
- What Works Network Members: Organizations like the Education Endowment Foundation and the Centre for Ageing Better, driving evidence-based policy in specific sectors.
- Natural Hazards and Resilience Hosts: Agencies like the UK Health Security Agency and the Environment Agency, focusing on preparedness for various crises.
Ready to Make a Difference?
This is your chance to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and impactful policy. By becoming a UKRI Policy Fellow, you’ll not only contribute your expertise to address pressing national and global challenges but also gain invaluable experience and networks that will shape your future career.
Don’t miss this opportunity to bring your research to the forefront of decision-making.
Key Dates:
- Application Opens: April 22, 2025 (9:00 am UK time)
- Application Closes: July 15, 2025 (4:00 pm UK time)
You must apply through the UKRI Funding Service
Be sure to check the specific details of each fellowship position within the Funding Service to ensure your expertise aligns with the host organization’s needs and any specific eligibility criteria.
Start your application journey today and become a driving force for evidence-informed policy in the UK!
The UKRI Policy Fellowships 2025 offer a fantastic opportunity for researchers to embed themselves in government and influence policy. If you’re considering applying, it’s crucial to understand the eligibility criteria. While specific requirements can vary slightly depending on the host organization and the focus of the fellowship, here’s a general overview of who is typically eligible:
1. Based at a UKRI-Eligible UK Research Organization:
- You must be employed by or have a formal arrangement with a UK-based organization that is eligible for funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). This includes:
- Higher education institutions.
- Research Council institutes.
- Recognized independent research organizations.
- Public sector research establishments.
- Catapult centers.
- It’s essential to confirm that your employing organization is UKRI-eligible. You can usually check this with your research office or on the UKRI website.
2. Hold a PhD or Equivalent Research Experience:
- Applicants are generally expected to have completed a PhD or possess equivalent postdoctoral research experience. This requirement ensures that fellows have a strong research background and the analytical skills necessary for policy-related work.
- In some cases, particularly for the “What Works Innovation Fellowships,” researchers at all career stages are welcome, so it’s worth checking the specifics of each fellowship.
- If you don’t hold a PhD but have a substantial track record in a research-focused role, you may still be eligible. You’ll need to demonstrate that you’ve achieved a comparable level of research expertise.
3. Relevant Subject Matter or Methodological Expertise:
- You need to demonstrate expertise that aligns with the specific policy area and the needs of the host organization for the fellowship you’re applying for. This could be in a particular academic discipline, a specific policy area (e.g., health, environment, technology), or in research methodologies relevant to policy analysis.
- Carefully review the description of each fellowship opportunity to understand the specific skills and knowledge sought by the host.
4. Career Stage Considerations:
- For the Core Policy Fellowships and the Natural Hazards and Resilience Policy Fellowships, the scheme typically targets early to mid-career researchers. This generally refers to individuals who have moved beyond their PhD but haven’t yet reached senior academic positions.
- The What Works Innovation Fellowships are broader and open to applicants at all career stages.
5. Additional Eligibility Requirements:
- Be aware that specific host organizations may have additional eligibility criteria. These could include:
- Security Clearance: Certain government departments may require fellows to undergo security clearance processes.
- Residency Obligations: Some fellowships might have specific residency requirements.
- These details will be outlined in the individual fellowship descriptions available on the UKRI Funding Service.
In Summary:
To be eligible for a UKRI Policy Fellowship, you generally need to be a researcher based at a UKRI-eligible institution, hold a PhD or equivalent experience, possess relevant expertise, and be at the appropriate career stage for the specific fellowship. Always consult the detailed eligibility criteria for each advertised position on the UKRI Funding Service to ensure you meet all the requirements before applying.
This is a fantastic opportunity to translate your research into real-world impact – make sure you check if you’re eligible!
Decoding Your Chances: Understanding the Success Rate of UKRI Fellowships
The UKRI Policy Fellowships are a highly sought-after opportunity for researchers looking to make a direct impact on government policy. As you consider applying for the 2025 cohort, a natural question arises: What is the success rate for these prestigious fellowships?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a single, definitive success rate publicly available specifically for the UKRI Policy Fellowships each year. The competitiveness can fluctuate depending on the number of applications received, the specific policy areas prioritized, and the number of fellowships offered in a given round.
However, we can piece together some insights to give you a realistic understanding of the landscape:
What We Know:
- Highly Competitive: Anecdotal evidence and the caliber of successful candidates suggest that these fellowships are highly competitive. They attract talented researchers from across various disciplines who are passionate about policy engagement.
- Limited Number of Fellowships: While the exact number can vary, the UKRI Policy Fellowships typically offer a select number of placements each year. This inherent limitation contributes to the competitive nature of the scheme.
- Focus on Quality and Fit: The selection process emphasizes not only the academic excellence and research experience of the applicant but also the strong alignment of their expertise with the specific policy needs of the host organization. A well-articulated proposal demonstrating clear policy relevance is crucial.
- Reflections from Other UKRI Schemes: While not directly the Policy Fellowships, insights from other prestigious UKRI fellowship schemes can offer a general benchmark. For instance, the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship scheme has been described as “highly competitive” with an average success rate of around 17% across previous rounds. This suggests that UKRI fellowships, in general, are selective.
Factors Influencing Success:
Several factors can influence your chances of securing a UKRI Policy Fellowship:
- Strength of your research proposal: A clear, compelling, and policy-relevant research proposal that directly addresses the host organization’s priorities is paramount.
- Alignment with host needs: Demonstrating a strong understanding of the host organization’s policy challenges and how your expertise can contribute is crucial.
- Your track record: Your academic achievements, research experience, publications, and any prior engagement with policy will be carefully considered.
- Your communication skills: The application and potential interview stages will assess your ability to articulate complex research in a clear and accessible way for a policy audience.
- Letters of support: Strong letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your research abilities and potential for policy impact are vital.
What This Means for Applicants:
While a precise success rate for the UKRI Policy Fellowships 2025 remains elusive, it’s clear that the competition will be strong. Therefore, it’s essential to:
- Thoroughly research the specific fellowship opportunities: Understand the host organization’s priorities and tailor your proposal accordingly.
- Craft a compelling and policy-relevant research proposal: Clearly articulate the “so what?” of your research for the policy world.
- Highlight your relevant expertise and experience: Showcase your skills and knowledge in a way that resonates with the policy context.
- Seek strong letters of recommendation: Choose referees who can speak to your potential for policy impact.
- Invest time and effort in your application: A well-prepared and polished application significantly increases your chances.
Don’t let the potential competitiveness deter you from applying. The UKRI Policy Fellowships offer a unique and transformative opportunity. Focus on presenting the strongest possible application that clearly demonstrates your expertise and your passion for contributing to impactful policy. Good luck!