UKRI Policy Fellowships 2025 – Fully Funded for International Researchers

UKRI Policy Fellowships 2025 – Fully Funded Fellowships in the UK

The UKRI Policy Fellowships 2025 program is a prestigious, fully funded opportunity designed to connect academic researchers with UK government departments and policy teams. With 42 fellowship positions available across 29 different UK-based institutions, the program fosters collaboration between academia and government to support evidence-based policymaking. It provides researchers with a platform to contribute directly to public decision-making on high-impact issues such as climate change, public health, resilience, and innovation.

These fellowships are ideal for early, mid-career, and senior researchers who are eager to apply their academic expertise in a real-world policy environment. The fellowships will last 18 months, starting in Autumn 2025, and offer participants mentorship, training, and networking opportunities, along with the chance to address national challenges alongside policymakers.

Applicants must be affiliated with a UKRI-eligible institution and possess expertise in social sciences or interdisciplinary fields such as environmental science, climate studies, economics, and public health. This is a highly competitive program that aims to bridge the gap between research and policy for lasting societal impact.

Host Country: United Kingdom
Host Institutions: Various UK Government Departments
Program Type: Fellowship
Eligible Applicants: International Students
Application Deadline: July 15, 2025
Funding: Fully Funded
Fields of Study: Public Policy and Related Disciplines

Degree Level

• Fellowship (non-degree)

Available Subjects

• Public Policy

• Climate Science

• Environmental Studies

• Economics

• Public Health

• Other Interdisciplinary Fields

Fellowship Types

1. Core Policy Fellowships

   • Focused on high-priority public policy missions

   • Open to early and mid-career researchers

   • Example posts include:

     • Cabinet Office (Clean Energy Mission)

     • Welsh Government (Behavioural Science for Climate Policy)

2. Natural Hazards and Resilience Fellowships

   • Focused on climate risk and disaster preparedness

   • Example posts include:

     • Defra (Oceanic Climate Risks)

     • Scottish Government (Coastal Change Resilience)

3. What Works Innovation Fellowships

   • Open to researchers at all career stages

   • Based within “What Works” Centres

   • Aimed at improving evidence-based policymaking

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the UKRI Policy Fellowships 2025, candidates must:

• Be affiliated with a UKRI-eligible institution

• Have expertise in relevant academic fields (social sciences, economics, climate, etc.)

• Demonstrate interdisciplinary impact and policy relevance

Eligible Nationalities

• Open to applicants from all nationalities

Fellowship Benefits

• Full funding for 18 months

• Mentorship and training sessions

• Access to a national network of academic fellows

• Participation in workshops and policy events

• Opportunity to work directly on high-level government initiatives

Application Process

Deadline: July 15, 2025
Interested candidates should visit the official UKRI Policy Fellowships 2025 website to browse specific fellowship opportunities and submit their applications accordingly.

Highlighted Opportunities for 2025

MASTS (Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland) highlights several fellowships aligned with Scotland’s marine and environmental priorities:

• Coastal Change Resilience (Scottish Government)

• Health Security & Behavioural Science (UKHSA)

• Natural Hazard Response (Environment Agency)

These positions support Scotland’s climate and marine policy development.

FAQs

Q1: Can international applicants apply for this fellowship?
Yes, the program is open to applicants of all nationalities, provided they are affiliated with a UKRI-eligible institution.

Q2: What kind of background is required?
Applicants should have expertise in fields such as social sciences, climate science, environmental policy, economics, or public health.

Q3: Is the fellowship fully funded?
Yes, all selected fellows receive full financial support for the duration of the 18-month program.

Q4: How many positions are available?
There are 42 fully funded fellowships available across 29 UK organizations.

Q5: Where can I apply?
You can apply directly on the official UKRI Policy Fellowships 2025 portal. Review individual post descriptions before submitting your application.