The UKRI Policy Internships scheme places eligible doctoral students with one of 16 UK policy organisations for three months during 2027. UK Research and Innovation coordinates the scheme with its research councils and host partners.
Interns learn how research informs policymaking and complete work such as a briefing paper, policy inquiry or policy event. Applicants select one host partner and may name a second choice.
Benefits & funding
- The internship lasts three months at full-time equivalent; eligible part-time students may complete it pro rata.
- The research organisation continues paying the doctoral stipend and fees during the internship. Studentship-extension arrangements depend on the funding research council.
- Eligible travel and accommodation costs are supported up to £3,594, with the payment route depending on the host partner and research council. Accommodation is covered only when relocation is necessary.
- The host partner provides the computing, email and other facilities needed for the placement.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be undertaking doctoral-level study in the United Kingdom and receive at least 50% of their doctoral funding from AHRC, BBSRC, ESRC, EPSRC, MRC, NERC or STFC. Students funded through a UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in Artificial Intelligence may apply under the EPSRC route.
- Full-time and part-time registered doctoral students may apply. The internship must begin before the applicant’s funded study period ends.
- Undergraduate and master’s students, and anyone who has previously completed or is currently completing a UKRI policy internship, are ineligible.
- STFC-funded students may apply only to the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology or the Government Office for Science. Other host-specific research-council restrictions are listed in the host information document.
- The scheme has no single nationality or residency gate. International students must confirm that their visa permits the placement, and individual hosts may impose right-to-work, nationality, residency or security-vetting conditions.
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Application process
- 1Use the UKRI Funding Service link and register or sign in as the student project lead.
- 2Select one host partner, indicate any preferred opportunity and optionally name a second-choice host.
- 3Complete the application questions covering the doctoral project, capability, career development, host support and a 1,000-word summary policy briefing unrelated to the doctoral research topic.
- 4Obtain the lead supervisor’s permission and a supporting statement from the training grant holder confirming permission and funding arrangements.
- 5Send the completed application to the research office for checks; only the lead research organisation can submit it to UKRI.
Program timeline
Applications open
2 June 2026, 9:00am UK time
Application deadline
8 September 2026, 4:00pm UK time
Written-stage notifications and interview invitations are expected, with timing varying by host
By the end of October 2026
Interviews are expected, where required
Second half of October or November 2026
January to December 2027
Internships take place, with the earliest starts in January and individual dates agreed with the host and research organisation