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Cancer Research UK

UKRI Policy Internships 2026 for Doctoral Students in Policy and Public Policy UK Research and Innovation in United Kingdom

Degree Level

not provided

Field of study

Sociology

Funding

Full funding available

Deadline

Sep 8, 2026

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Country

United Kingdom

University

Cancer Research UK

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Keywords

Sociology
Political Science
International Relations
Public Administration
Public Policy
Salud Pública
Economics

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About this position

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is advertising Policy Internships 2026 for existing UKRI-funded doctoral students. This is a three-month internship opportunity designed to place PhD students in influential policy organisations so they can gain hands-on experience in government and public policy.

The scheme is open to doctoral students funded by UKRI research councils, including AHRC, BBSRC, ESRC, EPSRC, MRC, NERC, and STFC. Students must be currently undertaking doctoral-level study in the UK and funded at least 50% by a UKRI doctoral studentship. Undergraduate and masters students are not eligible. Some host partners have additional restrictions, and STFC-funded students are only eligible for POST and the Government Office for Science.

Internships are available with 16 host partners, including government departments and parliamentary/public bodies such as the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Cabinet Office, Department for Education, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Department of Health and Social Care, Government Office for Science, Home Office, Ministry of Justice, UK Health Security Agency, and parliamentary partners such as POST, SPICe, and Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliament.

The internship is intended to help doctoral researchers translate academic research into policy impact. Interns are expected to produce at least one briefing paper, participate in a policy inquiry or organise a policy event, or complete equivalent policy engagement work. The opportunity is especially relevant for students interested in political science, public policy, public health, economics, sociology, and international relations.

Funding depends on the student’s research council and host partner. Some councils provide extra support for internship costs, while others require use of the existing training grant. Travel and accommodation support may be available for students who need to relocate or are not within reasonable travelling distance of the host partner. Part-time students may also apply, with part-time extensions applied where eligible.

The application window is open now and closes on 2026-09-08. Applicants should submit through the UKRI Funding Service, select one host partner, and may indicate a second choice. Before applying, students should review the Host Partner Information document for eligibility, location, and security requirements.

Funding details

Full funding including tuition fees and living expenses is available for this position. The scholarship covers all educational costs and provides a monthly stipend.

How to apply

Please submit your application including a cover letter, CV, academic transcripts, and contact information for two references. Applications should be sent via the online portal before the deadline.

More information can be found here

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