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.
During the internship, students will undertake 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:
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produced a briefing paper
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participated in a policy inquiry and, or
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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. Internships are available with a number of parliamentary departments, government departments and non-governmental bodies. Currently the scheme supports on average 125 internships per year across all host partners.
The host partners for this year’s round are listed on the UKRI website along with further information on the scheme, documentation and guidance for applicants.
Eligibility
This scheme is open to PhD students funded by the Research Councils of UK Research and Innovation, including ESRC WRDTP cohorts. Internships will take place during 2026 and students must be able to start their internship before the end of their funded period of study.
Students who are studying on a Student visa must check their eligibility to undertake a studentship placement, particularly where this requires an extension to the studentship period. UKRI consider Policy Internship placements to be integral to the studentship; however, international students must contact the International Student Support team or equivalent at their university for confirmation, before applying to the scheme.
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.
Funding
Internships are financially supported by the research councils and host partners. Doctoral stipend and fees will continue to be paid by the research organisation throughout the three month internship period. Where necessary, students can also claim for eligible travel and accommodation costs incurred during the internship up to a maximum limit of £3,426 per student. The funding details will depend on the applicant’s research council and the chosen host partner.
For PGRs who started their studentship before October 2024, if you are successful in securing a UKRI Policy Internship, your studentship’s funding end date will be extended for the commensurate period of time that you undertake the internship.
For PGRs who started their studentship from October 2024 onwards, a UKRI Policy Internship will count as your mandatory RinP placement, if you are successful in securing one. As the duration of your studentship award already includes time for a placement, your studentship will not be extended further.
Application Guidance
For further information, applicants are advised to read the guidance and host partner information documents provided:
How to apply
- STEP 1: Submit your expression of interest to enquiries@wrdtp.ac.uk, which includes the following, by 12pm, Tuesday 26 August 2025:
- UKRI Policy Internships – internship and funding permission form (signed by you and your supervisor, the training grant holder signature space should be left blank)
- A covering email explaining why you are applying to your chosen hosting organisation (max 300 words). Please name your intended host department, and state in your covering email if you are a DTP2 applicant undertaking the policy internship as your Research in Practice placement.
- Please cc your supervisors into the email by way of confirmation that they support your application and you are making good progress in your research.
- The WRDTP Manager will then assess all expressions of interest.
- STEP 2: The WRDTP will email you the outcome of your request by : 12pm, Friday 29 August 2025 – if you are successful the Funding and Permissions form will be returned to you with the required Training Grant holder signature.
- STEP 3: Submit your full application form, signed permissions form and policy briefing (please see Applicant Guidance above for more details on the policy briefing format), online via the UKRI Policy Internships scheme webpage by 4pm on Monday 8 September 2025.
Applications will then be assessed via a 2 stage process: an assessment of the written application and an interview of the shortlisted applicants.
Applicants can apply to only one host partner but are invited to note a second choice on their application. Applicants may be contacted by their second-choice host partner should additional opportunities become available.
Next steps
Please be aware that although it is the responsibility of the WRDTP to fund any successful applicants, we are not involved in the application/interview process or notified if any WRDTP students have been successful in the application process.
Therefore, if you are awarded a UKRI Policy Internship, you must inform the WRDTP of this so we can advise you on the next steps required with your institution before you commence your internship. For DTP2 students this will include completion of the relevant paperwork to formalise the internship as your Research in Practice placement.
