SSCP and SCENARIO DTP Fellowship 2026

Overview

• Applications for 2026 now open to postgraduate students in their second or third year of study, registered for a PhD within the SCENARIO & SSCP DTPs
• Applications close 3^rd July 2026.
• Fellowships will start at the earliest in September/October 2026.

About the scheme

The SSCP and SCENARIO DTP fellowship scheme, currently in its ninth and final iteration, provides an exciting opportunity for students to gain real-world experience in the communication of research to policy makers. Successful applicants will contribute to the activities of UK Parliament by either working with POST or a Select Committee on an area of science and technology policy, potentially outside their immediate area of expertise.

POST Fellowships typically involve the production of a POSTnote, a four-page research briefing that reviews the current research landscape in emerging areas, ensuring accuracy and impartiality. POST Fellowships may also involve being placed with a Select Committee, engaging directly with science and policy by supporting the Committee’s work in scrutinising Government.

Work of past fellows

Past SSCP and SCENARIO DTP fellows co-authored Regulation and remediation of ‘forever’ chemicals, Carbon offsetting, Climate adaptation for nature, Blue carbon, Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), Decarbonising the gas network, Public engagement with the energy transition and Nature-based flood and drought resilience POSTnotes and the North Sea oil and gas Rapid Response. Previous fellows have also been placed with select committees to work on their inquiries, including the Environmental Audit Committee, the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee and the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee.

Who is eligible to apply?

The DTP Fellowship is open to all NERC-funded SSCP and SCENARIO DTP postgraduate students registered for a PhD in their second or third year of study.

All applicants must be eligible for a full award under NERC’s standard studentship criteria (please see the UKRI Training Grants standard terms and conditions for further information).

Successful candidates will be required to complete pre-employment checks. This includes security vetting to Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) level. All successful candidates are required to pass these checks before an offer can be confirmed. You should be aware that if you have not resided in the UK for a total of more than three of the last five years, you are not eligible to receive security clearance to work on the Parliamentary Estate.

How to apply

• To apply please submit an online form by 3 July 2026. This form must be completed in one sitting.
• An approval form, which has been completed by your PhD Supervisor and DTP Director/ Manager.
• A two-page briefing on a topic that you think would be of current interest to Parliamentarians. The briefing should be completed using the briefing template and should not contain your name or any other identifying details. We want you to use the briefing template and ensure your work is not identifiable in order to make the process as fair and unbiased as possible.
• Download the approval form

Please email completed forms to  [email protected] by Friday 3rd^th July 2026.

Applications will undergo an initial sift on the basis of the two-page briefing. Interviews will be held in July 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What is a POST fellowship? Who can apply for it? Who pays for it? We have put together a page with answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we get about POST fellowships.

For more information on this fellowship and the application process please see the NERC DTP fellowship application guide 2026/7 SSCP and SCENARIO DTP.

For questions about POST fellowships, please contact us at [email protected]

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