Application closes 8 September 2026.
With all the research councils now under the umbrella of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which has restructured its individual Fellowship schemes and substituted them with an overarching opportunity called the Policy Internships Scheme. The scheme provides the opportunity for doctoral students funded by the research councils of UKRI to work for three months in a policy organisation.
The Policy Internships Scheme allows candidates from the research councils of UK Research and Innovation to get invaluable policy experience, with an organisation of their choice. If POST is your first host choice and you’d like the opportunity to contribute to one of our POSTnotes, please make that clear in your application.
While fellows typically help us with the production of a POSTnote or POSTbrief, this unique opportunity to view the epicentre of policy-making from the inside may also include a secondment to a select committee or to the House of Commons or House of Lords Libraries.
Fellows at POST will have the opportunity to produce their own POSTnote from start to finish. This includes scoping the topic, conducting interviews with senior stakeholders from across academia, government, industry and the not-for-profit sector, drafting and editing.
By the end of their time at POST, our fellows will have learned how to write for policy-makers with balance, impartiality and succinctness. They will also have developed a unique understanding of Westminster, forged important relationships with key stakeholders, and delved into a novel and exciting topic of research.
To see the full list of hosts which include parliamentary departments, government departments and non-governmental bodies, learned societies and other organisations, visit the UKRI website.
A 60-minute online information session about the fellowship will be run for those interested in applying for roles by the representatives of UK Parliaments will take place on Thursday 9th July. Those interested in attending should e-mail [email protected].
This scheme is open to doctoral students funded by the Research Councils of UK Research and Innovation (AHRC, BBSRC, ESRC, EPSRC, MRC, NERC and STFC). Internships will take place during 2027 and students must be able to start their internship before the end of their funded period of study.
Internships are financially supported by the research councils and other sources. Doctoral stipends and fees should 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 £3,426.00 per student.
Applicants should complete the required forms as directed on the UKRI website.
Assessment of applications is a two stage process: there will be an assessment of the written application and applicants successful at this stage will be invited to interview. The application process will be completed at both stages by POST in association with the other Parliamentary hosts.
Please note, only one application can be submitted by each applicant. The applicant must specify within their application which host partner they wish to undertake an internship with and bear in mind any organisation specific guidance available in the applicant guidance document when preparing their application.
All Fellowship offers are conditional on obtaining security clearance which can take up to three months.
POST is bicameral and strictly non-partisan. Fellows will need to abstain from any political activity for the duration of their Fellowship and to uphold the principles of parliamentary service, including impartiality and confidentiality.
We work with Senedd Research, the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, and the Northern Ireland Assembly Research and Information Service to select candidates. Allocation of candidates to each parliamentary office is determined by preference and ability to host.
POST is committed to equality of opportunity. We will make reasonable adjustments to ensure that disabilities or conditions don’t exclude prospective fellows from this opportunity. Please let us know as soon as possible to discuss how we can meet your requirements.
Join a 60-minute online information session on Thursday 9 July at 3pm. If you’re interested in applying, this is your opportunity to hear from representatives of UK Parliaments and learn more about the role.
You can register for the event online, and email [email protected] with any questions.
Questions about the scheme should be addressed to the UKRI Talent & Skills Team: [email protected].
Applications are open for the 2026/2027 Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) POST Westminster Fellowship scheme. Open to RSC members who are undertaking or have recently finished their PhD studies. Apply by 23:59 on 1st August 2026.
Applications are open for the 2026/27 SSCP DTP and SCENARIO DTP POST Westminster Fellowship scheme. Open to postgraduate students in these DTPs who are undertaking their PhD studies. Apply by 23:59 on 3 July 2026.
Applications are open for the 2026/2027 British Ecological Society (BES) Fellowship. Open to British Ecological Society members currently studying for a PhD in a UK university. Apply by 23:59 on Wednesday 10 June 2026.
