Opportunity status:
Open
Funders:
UK Research and Innovation,, ,, ,, ,
Funding type:
Other
Publication date:
2 June 2026
Opening date:
2 June 2026 9:00am UK time
Closing date:
8 September 2026 4:00pm UK time
An opportunity for UKRI-funded doctoral students to undertake a three-month internship at one of a selected group of influential policy organisations, as part of the existing doctoral studentship.
This opportunity is only open to existing doctoral students funded by the research councils of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) (AHRC, BBSRC, ESRC, EPSRC, MRC, NERC and STFC).
The funding details will depend on the student’s research council, and which host partner is chosen. Some research councils provide additional funding to cover internships costs while students of other research councils should access funds from their existing training grant.
This opportunity is open to organisations with standard eligibility. .
This opportunity enables existing UKRI-funded doctoral students to apply for a three-month internship with one of 16 host partners. Details of each host partner and the associated internships offered can be found in the ‘What we are looking for’ section of this guidance and the associated ‘Host Partner Information’ document.
You can apply to only one host partner but are invited to note a second choice within the UKRI Funding Service application. You may be contacted by your second-choice host partner should additional opportunities become available.
Who is eligible to apply
This scheme is only open to doctoral students funded by the research councils of UKRI (AHRC, BBSRC, ESRC, EPSRC, MRC, NERC and STFC). Students funded through UKRI Centres for Doctoral Training in Artificial Intelligence may also apply and should follow the eligibility criteria and funding details for EPSRC grants. You should contact the training grant administrator at your research organisation (university or institute) with any queries relating to your funding status.
Most host partners accept applications from students funded by all research councils. Some host partners only accept applications from students funded by certain research councils; where this is the case, this is stated within the ‘Host Partner Information’ document.
Students funded by STFC are eligible to apply to the Parliamentary Office of Science & Technology (POST) and the Government Office for Science only.
Where a host partner stipulates that internships are for students with particular research interests, you should consider how you can best evidence how your interests, research and experience are aligned with the internship.
Internships last for three months and are expected to take place within the 2027 calendar year, with the earliest starting in January 2027. The timing of the internship should be agreed with the host partner, the student’s supervisor and the student’s research organisation once the application outcome has been communicated.
All internships must start before the end of a student’s funded period of study, as well as fulfilling any research council-specific criteria. Successful applicants are not permitted to delay the start date of their policy internship so that it begins following the end of their doctoral funded period.
Applications from part-time registered students are welcomed. If successful, part-time students who are eligible for studentship extensions (see ‘Funding available’ in the ‘What we are looking for’ section of this guidance) will have these applied on a part-time basis.
Students who are studying on a student visa must check the stipulations of their visa for their eligibility to undertake a studentship placement, particularly where this requires a change in study location, an extension to the studentship period or both. UKRI consider policy internship placements to be integral to the studentship; however, international students must contact the relevant staff at their research organisation for confirmation.
Students must meet any security, and nationality checks as required by the host partner, including but not limited to: security checks, background checks, requirements for security clearance and declaration of interest. See the ‘Host Partner Information’ document for details.
All host partners are strictly non-partisan. You will be required to abstain from any party political or lobbying activity and to uphold the principles of parliamentary and public service.
Who is not eligible to apply
Those ineligible to apply are:
* students who are not funded at least 50% by a UKRI doctoral studentship. If you are unsure regarding the source of your funding, contact your research organisation
* students who are not currently undertaking doctoral-level study in the UK
* undergraduate or masters level students
* applicants who have previously undertaken or are currently undertaking a UKRI policy internship
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We are for all applicants. We encourage applications from a diverse range of researchers.
We support people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. This includes:
* career breaks
* support for people with caring responsibilities
* flexible working
* alternative working patterns
UKRI can during the application and assessment process.
Demand management
Demand management is not being applied to this funding opportunity.
Aim
Research can make a vital contribution to public policy in a range of areas. Policymaking is carried out across a wide range of organisations, including government departments, civil society, groups within parliament and devolved administrations, as well as other public bodies and learned societies.
The UKRI Policy Internships scheme provides an opportunity for doctoral students funded by the research councils of UKRI to gain training and experience for three months in one of a selected group of highly impactful organisations relevant to UK policy.
The aim of the scheme is to embed students in a policymaking environment so that they can develop the skills and experiences needed to make academic research accessible to policymakers. Through these internships, students will produce at least one briefing paper, participate in a policy inquiry or organise a policy event, or equivalent, or both.
Interns will gain training and experience related to how research can inform policymaking. The internship is undertaken as part of the existing doctoral studentship.
Scope
Internships are available with 16 host partners:
* Cabinet Office
* Department for Education
* Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
* Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
* Department for Work and Pensions
* Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Northern Ireland
* Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)
* Government Office for Science
* Home Office
* Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government
* Ministry of Justice
* Northern Ireland Assembly
* Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
* Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe)
* Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliament
* UK Health Security Agency
Further information about each of the host partners and the internships offered by each is available in the ‘Host Partner Information’ document.
You can apply to only one host partner but are invited to note a second choice within the UKRI Funding Service application. You may be contacted by your second-choice host partner should additional opportunities become available.
The Parliamentary host partners (the Parliamentary Office of Science & Technology (POST), the Northern Ireland Assembly Research and Information Service (RaISe), Senedd Research and Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe)) will undertake a joint assessment process with the most appropriate host partner for each intern finalised during the interview process.
UKRI is keen to encourage applicants from all over the UK and encourage host partners to permit internships to be undertaken remotely or in a hybrid way, where possible. Details of any location requirements for each host partner are detailed in the ‘Host Partner Information’ document. For successful applicants not within reasonable travelling distance of the host partner, funding is available to cover travel and accommodation costs. Accommodation costs may only be claimed by students for whom it is necessary to relocate to undertake the internship.
Duration
The typical duration of an internship is three months at one FTE. Part-time internships are available for part-time registered students. If successful, part-time students who are eligible for studentship extensions (see ‘Funding available’ in the ‘What we are looking for’ section of this guidance) will have these applied on a part-time basis.
You will be asked to state the start date and duration of the internship. The start date should be indicative of your preferred start date but, if successful, this will need to be discussed and agreed with the host partner, and it may need to change to suit both parties. The duration should always be three months or pro rata if you are a part-time registered student.
Internships are expected to take place within the 2027 calendar year, with the earliest starting in January 2027.
Following confirmation of award, the host partner will agree a start date with the applicant, the applicant’s supervisory team and the applicant’s research organisation.
At the end of the internship, the applicant will be required to complete a feedback form describing the outcomes achieved during their three-month internship.
Funding available
Internships are financially supported by the research councils and host partners. The funding details will depend on the student’s research council and which host partner is chosen. Some research councils provide additional funding to cover internships costs while students of other research councils should access funds from their training grant (Doctoral Training Partnership, Centre for Doctoral Training, Doctoral Training Centre and so on). Full details are included in the ‘Funding details applicable to all’ and the ‘Funding details by research council’ sections below.
Submission of the Funding Service application must include a supporting statement, written by the training grant holder at your research organisation, that includes evidence that:
* the lead supervisor (name and title to be stated) gives their permission for the applicant to undertake a three-month policy internship, with the internship supported as described within this guidance
* the training grant holder (name, title, and title of training grant to be stated) gives their permission for the applicant to undertake a three-month policy internship, with the internship supported and funded as described within this guidance, noting this may have implications for the existing training grant
Funding details applicable to all
The following applies to all applicants:
* the stipend (where eligible) and fees must continue to be paid by research organisations throughout the three-month internship period (pro rata for part-time applicants)
* most host partners provide a co-funding contribution to meet eligible travel and accommodation costs, including attending interview, arising from the internship up to a maximum limit of £3,594. Accommodation costs can only be claimed by students for whom it is necessary to relocate to undertake the internship
* the Parliamentary hosts (Parliamentary Office of Science & Technology (POST), the Northern Ireland Assembly Research and Information Service (RaISe), Senedd Research and Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) do not have a co-funding agreement in place. Therefore, eligible travel and accommodation costs up to a maximum limit of £3,594 should be claimed from other sources, such as the training grant (see ‘Funding details by research council’ for details)
* all expense costs must be in line with those set out in the. Research organisations and host partners must ensure timely reimbursement of eligible expenses
* all computing, email and other facilities necessary to complete the policy internship will be provided by the host partner
* students who currently receive a London allowance stipend will continue to receive this supplement for the duration of the internship, regardless of the host partner location
* students who do not currently receive a London allowance stipend, will not qualify for this, regardless of the host partner location. Additional costs arising from undertaking an internship within London are to be met through the internship travel and accommodation allowance
Funding details by research council
AHRC funding details
Stipend and fees
Your research organisation will continue to pay your stipend and fees, and your studentship will be extended. In line with AHRC’s training grant funding guide, when the AHRC funding continues during an internship or placement, the submission due date should not be changed. The only exception is if, at the time of the extension, the submission due date is the same as the end date of the funding period. In this case, the submission due date will need to be moved to ensure the due date is not before the funding end date. Please refer to section 3.2.2 in the for further detail.
Your stipend and fees should be supported from the existing training grant award. If the training grant holder has any questions, they should contact AHRC for advice.
Travel and accommodation
The process for claiming eligible travel and accommodation costs varies depending on your host partner:
For students hosted by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, Senedd Research, Northern Ireland Assembly, and the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, travel and accommodation expenses up to a maximum of £3,594 should be claimed from other sources, such as your training grant. If successful, it is important to agree with your research organisation’s finance office the best way to cover these costs in the short-term prior to your internship.