UKRI Policy Internships 2026
Host Partner information
The document below contains information about the host partners, the internship opportunities available, organisational eligibility by Research Council and contact details.
Applicants can apply to only one host partner but are invited to note a second choice on their application. Applicants may be contacted by the host partner noted as their second choice should additional opportunities become available.
Some host partners only accept applications from students funded by certain Research Councils, where this is the case, the details are highlighted within the relevant section. The internship funding details will depend on the applicant’s Research Council and which host partner is chosen. Applicants should ensure that they read the details pertaining to the internship funding contained within the UKRI Policy Internships Funding Finder page carefully.
For the purposes of applying to this scheme, students funded through UKRI Centres for Doctoral Training in Artificial Intelligence should follow the eligibility criteria and funding details for EPSRC grants.
A number of host partners will require students to undergo security vetting and declaration of interest processes before they can start their internship. Please consult each host partner’s information page for more details.
Please see the UKRI-300626-Policy-Internships-2026-Host-Partner-Information-2 for more details.
Relevant departments include:
- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)
- Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
- Government Office for Science (GO-Science)
- Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST)
- Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe)
- Senedd Research
- Northern Ireland Assembly Research and Information Service (RaISe)
Examples inlcude:
- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)
Up to 8 internships focused on housing, planning, local growth, devolution, community resilience and local government. Interns may undertake evidence reviews, policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, workshop facilitation and briefing production. Opportunities span areas such as planning reform, housing strategy, regional growth and resettlement policy. - Ministry of Justice (MoJ)
Up to 10 internships supporting evidence-based policymaking across the justice system. Interns work on projects addressing departmental research priorities, using methods such as evidence synthesis, data analysis, behavioural science, evaluation and modelling. Placements provide hands-on experience within policy and operational teams. - Home Office
Up to 11 internships covering public safety, security, migration, policing, AI, research and innovation. Roles include contributing to research, policy development, analysis and science advice across some of the UK’s most significant security and social policy challenges.