UKRI Policy Internships scheme

As part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)’s postgraduate training portfolio, the UKRI Policy Internships scheme provides an opportunity for UKRI-funded doctoral students to undertake a three-month placement at one of a selected group of influential policy organisations.

Currently the scheme supports on average 125 internships per year across all host partners.

During their internship, the student undertakes training and experience on a policy topic agreed with their host partner that is relevant to both parties. At the end of the internship, the student is expected to have:

  • produced a briefing paper
  • participated in a policy inquiry and, or
  • organised a policy event

The intention of the scheme is to embed students in an environment where they can engage with the process of converting research outputs into policy. These internships equip students with transferable skills and training relevant to the future career paths that the student may choose.

Next funding opportunity

  • Funding opportunity status: Closed
  • Funding opportunity opening date: 14 July 2023
  • Funding opportunity closing date: 2 October 2023, 4:00pm

Eligibility

This scheme is only open to doctoral students funded by the research councils of UKRI (AHRC, BBSRC, ESRC, EPSRC, MRC, NERC and STFC).

For the purposes of applying to this scheme, students funded through UKRI Centres for Doctoral Training in Artificial Intelligence should follow the eligibility criteria and funding details for EPSRC grants.

You should contact the training grant administrator at your research organisation with any queries relating to your funding status.

How to apply

You should complete the online application form.

Further details on how to apply.

For further information, you are advised to read the guidance and host partner information documents provided.

If you are having trouble accessing the online application form, please contact the NERC Research Careers Team (email: researchcareers@nerc.ukri.org) for an alternative version of this form.

Contact

NERC currently coordinates the scheme on behalf of UKRI and any enquiries should be directed to the NERC Talent and Skills team at researchcareers@nerc.ukri.org in the first instance.

Last updated: 6 November 2023

This is the website for UKRI: our seven research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Let us know if you have feedback or would like to help improve our online products and services.