Explore Policy Careers Through UK Research and Innovation Internships

The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Policy Internships scheme is a pivotal part of UKRI’s postgraduate training portfolio, offering UKRI-funded doctoral students a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience in influential policy organizations.

What is the UKRI Policy Internships Scheme?

The UKRI Policy Internships scheme allows doctoral students funded by UKRI to undertake a three-month placement at one of a select group of prominent policy organizations. Each year, the scheme supports approximately 125 internships across various host partners.

What Will You Do During the Internship?

During the internship, you will engage in training and work on a policy topic that aligns with the interests of both you and your host partner. By the end of the internship, you are expected to have:

• Produced a briefing paper
• Participated in a policy inquiry
• Organized a policy event

The goal of the scheme is to immerse you in the process of translating research outputs into actionable policy. This experience is designed to equip you with transferable skills and knowledge that will be beneficial for your future career paths.

Important Dates

• Opening Date: 17 July 2024
• Closing Date: 2 October 2024, 4:00 PM UK time

Eligibility Criteria

The scheme is open exclusively to doctoral students funded by UKRI research councils, including:

• AHRC (Arts and Humanities Research Council)
• BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council)
• ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council)
• EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council)
• MRC (Medical Research Council)
• NERC (Natural Environment Research Council)
• STFC (Science and Technology Facilities Council)

If you are funded through UKRI Centres for Doctoral Training in Artificial Intelligence, please refer to the EPSRC grants criteria for eligibility details.

For any questions about your funding status, please contact the training grant administrator at your research organization.

How to Apply

To apply, complete the online application form. For additional guidance, review the provided application instructions and host partner information documents here.

If you encounter any issues accessing the online application form, you can reach out to the NERC Research Careers Team at researchcareers@nerc.ukri.org for an alternative version of the form.

Contact Information

The scheme is currently coordinated by NERC on behalf of UKRI. For any inquiries, please contact the NERC Talent and Skills team at researchcareers@nerc.ukri.org.

This internship scheme is a valuable opportunity for doctoral students to bridge the gap between research and policy, offering hands-on experience in a dynamic environment. Apply now to take the next step in your career! For more information, visit the website.