UKRI policy internships 2026
UK Research and Innovation
What it funds
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Who can apply
This scheme is only open to doctoral students funded by the research councils of UKRI (AHRC, BBSRC, ESRC, EPSRC, MRC, NERC and STFC). Students funded through UKRI Centres for Doctoral Training in Artificial Intelligence may also apply and should follow the eligibility criteria and funding details for EPSRC grants. You should contact the training grant administrator at your research organisation (university or institute) with any queries relating to your funding status. Most host partners accept applications from students funded by all research councils. Some host partners only accept applications from students funded by certain research councils; where this is the case, this is stated within the ‘Host Partner Information’ document. Students funded by STFC are eligible to apply to the Parliamentary Office of Science & Technology (POST) and the Government Office for Science only. Where a host partner stipulates that internships are for students with particular research interests, you should consider how you can best evidence how your interests, research and experience are aligned with the internship. Internships last for three months and are expected to take place within the 2027 cal
Last checked against the official source within the last 7 days. Scheme parameters are set by the funder and can change — verify before applying, or let us do it for you.
Related schemes
Innovate UK Grant Competitions
Innovate UK
Rolling portfolio of themed R&D grant competitions for UK businesses, typically funding 25-70% of project costs across feasibility, industrial research and experimental development.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)
Innovate UK / UKRI
Funds a high-calibre graduate (Associate) plus academic team embedded in your business for 12-36 months to deliver a strategic innovation project. SMEs typically pay ~33% of project costs.
R&D Tax Relief (Merged Scheme & ERIS)
HMRC
Corporation tax relief on qualifying R&D expenditure. Merged scheme gives a 20% above-the-line credit (~15-16% net); loss-making R&D-intensive SMEs can claim enhanced support (ERIS) worth up to ~27p per £1 of qualifying spend.