The Policy Insights Unit is inviting applications for its 2026 Policy Fellowship programme, an academic mentoring scheme for UK-based public officials.
The Policy Insights Unit (PIU) is a cross-government unit that develops analysis and ideas for policy. Operating like an in-house consultancy, we agree bespoke projects to suit the needs of each customer, combining expert engagement with research synthesis and policy development.
Our Policy Fellowship is a bespoke, flexible, part-time mentoring programme that supports officials by providing help and expert insight to answer a specific policy question.
Over the course of six months, civil servants and public officials (SEO-G6 or equivalent grades) will work under the supervision of an academic mentor in a relevant field to research and produce an output based on their policy area. Mentors are drawn from our partner institutions: Brunel University London, Lancaster University, the University of Surrey and the University of York.
What you'll gain:
- In-depth support and insight from leading academics
- New contacts across academia and the civil service
- Practical skills in data analysis and interpretation
- Enhanced subject knowledge in your chosen field
This is the fourth round of the Fellowship - in 2025, 20 civil servants from 12 different departments were paired with academics from our partner universities. An example of one of their research outputs can be found here .
This year's programme offers an expanded range of research topics, including (but not limited to) health and wellbeing; sustainability and net zero; AI and emerging technologies; governance; global systems and relationships; education and social justice; creative and cultural futures; and economic development.
