Guidance

Directory of exchange schemes from academia to policy

Published 2 May 2025

Directory of academic and policy exchange schemes – academia to policy

This directory lists the current exchange schemes from academia to policy as of 16/04/2025. The information is presented by type of exchange and alphabetically by scheme name.

An asterisk (*) after the scheme name indicates that it offers exchanges for both academics and policy professionals. (Click here for the directory listing exchanges from policy to academia.)

Each scheme has been categorised into the following three groups: 1) secondment/fellowship; 2) capacity building and/or; 3) internship/placement. The definitions that have been used for each of these categories are as follows:

• Secondments/fellowships: refers to a temporary assignment where an individual is placed on new or existing projects within another organisation to gain experience, share expertise, and foster collaboration offering mutual benefit to the secondee/fellow and the host organisation’s aims. This category includes all types of fellowships, secondments, and embedded expert roles.

• Capacity building: encompasses activities aimed at enhancing the abilities, skills, networks and resources of individuals or organisations. This includes training programmes, mentorship pairing, and relationship-building initiatives.

• Internships/placements: refers to structured programmes designed for students or recent graduates to gain practical experience in a professional setting. Internships and placements are typically short-term.

The data has been obtained from respective departments, institutions or organisations and the comments have been obtained through conversations, webpages or other forms of documentations from each source. The schemes listed in this document vary in duration and commitment, some are full-time, while others are part-time. Please refer to the specific details of each scheme for more information. If you own or know of an existing scheme that is not mentioned here, would like to provide information for missing data, or provide amendments to the data below, please email academicengagement@go-science.gov.uk and provide the details for the scheme in order for us to update the dataset.

1. Secondments/fellowships

Name: DSIT Science & Technology Fellowship  
Scheme owner: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) 
Duration: 12 months  
Career stage: Mid-senior career  
Type of exchange: Secondment/fellowship  
About the scheme: The DSIT Science & Technology Fellowship is an opportunity for experts from across the science and technology ecosystem to join DSIT for a 12-month part-time secondment. DSIT is seeking mid- to late-career professionals who are experts in their field and interested in contributing to policy and public sector work, to contribute to the development and delivery of DSIT’s work in key areas of interest across science, innovation, and technology. Fellows will be embedded into policy teams across DSIT, working alongside civil servants to input expert advice and insight, drawing from their expertise to support delivery of the Framework. They will be provided with a curated offer of support and opportunities over the course of their secondment, including but not limited to training on how the Civil Service works, opportunities to hear from impactful Senior Civil Servants, and opportunities to share their insights across the department.   
Further information

Name: ESRC UK Fellowships  
Scheme owner: UK Research and Innovation  
Duration: 6 months to 5 years  
Career stage: Mid-career   
Type of exchange: Secondment/fellowship  
About the scheme: Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) opportunities are open to economic and social science researchers or those working at the intersection between economic and social science disciplines and fields such as computer science, statistics, and applied mathematical modelling.  
Further information

Name: Expert Exchange Programme*  
Scheme owner: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology  
Duration: Up to 9 months  
Career stage: Mid-senior career  
Type of exchange: Secondment/fellowship  
About the scheme: The Expert Exchange Programme (EEP) supports with bringing in external experts into DSIT and support internal staff spend time outside the department. Their goal is to make it easy, encouraging and effective for DSIT teams to work with academia, industry and other partners to bring in or cultivate expertise or knowledge that is not currently available within the department. Benefits of the programme are: 
1. Strengthening external collaboration – opportunity to enrich more formal stakeholder engagement through embedding experts;
2. Address specific capability gaps – bring in critical technical and specialist skills to the Civil Service; 
3. Strengthen organisational capability through significant exposure to external perspectives;
4. Porosity in action – a more open door to talent outside the Civil Service who can contribute to the work of government.  
Further information  

Name: Innovation Fellowships Scheme 2024-25 – Route B: Policy-Led (FCDO)  
Scheme owner: The British Academy   
Duration: 1 year   
Career stage: Early-mid career   
Type of exchange: Secondment/fellowship  
About the scheme: The Innovation Fellowships scheme is a dual-route scheme designed to enable researchers in the humanities and social sciences to partner with organisations and business in the creative and cultural, public, private and policy sectors in order to address challenges that require innovative approaches and solutions. Previous calls have partnered with a range of government departments, including FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office), DSIT and DCMS (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)F.  
Further information  

Name: No10 Innovation Fellowship Scheme  
Scheme owner: HM Government   
Duration: 1 year   
Career stage: Mid-senior career  
Type of exchange: Secondment/fellowship  
About the scheme: The No10 Innovation Fellowship Programme is 10 Downing Street’s flagship initiative for bringing world-class technical talent into government for high impact tours of duty. Fellows will work in small teams on projects that are technologically challenging, highly impactful and deliverable within a year.  
Further information  

Name: OPEN Fellowship Scheme*  
Scheme owner: University of Oxford   
Duration: 8.5 months   
Career stage: Early-mid career  
Type of exchange: Secondment/fellowship and capacity building   
About the scheme: Oxford Policy Engagement Network (OPEN) Fellowships enable academic and research staff from the University of Oxford to work closely with, or in, an organisation in the policymaking community (Outgoing Fellowship), and for policy professionals to work closely with, or embedded in, a University department or faculty (Incoming Fellowship).   
Further information  

Name: Parliamentary Academic Fellowship Scheme  
Scheme owner: UK Parliament   
Duration: ~ 1 year  
Career stage: Any stage   
Type of exchange: Secondment/fellowship   
About the scheme: In the Parliamentary Academic Fellowship Scheme, researchers use their knowledge and skills to carry out projects in UK Parliament. The scheme works on a rolling basis, and projects are issued as the needs arise from within Parliament.   
Further information  

Name: Policy Associates Scheme  
Scheme owner: Royal Society  
Duration: 3 months full-time equivalent or 6-9 months part-time
Career stage: Mid-career  
Type of exchange: Secondment/fellowship  
About the scheme: The Royal Society Science Policy Associate Scheme provides University Research Fellows (URF) and Dorothy Hodgkin Fellows (DHF) with an opportunity to gain first-hand experience of working in science policy and using science and evidence to inform policy advice and decision-making.  
Further information

Name: Policy Internships Scheme  
Scheme owner: Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST), UK Parliament  
Duration: < 6 months  
Career stage: Pre-career  
Type of exchange: Secondment/fellowship  
About the scheme: 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.   
Further information

Name: R&D Fellowship Programme  
Scheme owner: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra)  
Duration: 3 months to 1 year  
Career stage: Early-mid career  
Type of exchange: Secondment/fellowship  
About the scheme: The Research and Development (R&D) Fellowship Programme at Defra is designed to immerse early- to mid-career scientists in the intersection of scientific evidence and policy regulation. This programme offers fellows the opportunity to take a leading role in innovative aspects of large-scale projects and gain a deep understanding of Defra’s inner workings. Fellows will collaborate with a diverse team of Defra scientists and policy experts, building valuable connections and contributing to science-driven policy.  
Further information  

Name: Research and Senior Academic Advice Programme (ReSAAP)  
Scheme owner: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)  
Duration: 2 years  
Career stage: Senior  
Type of exchange: Secondment/fellowship  
About the scheme: ReSAAP provides a funding and partnership mechanism for the FCDO to access deep expertise from trusted academic and research networks. The Senior Research Fellows are embedded in FCDO teams, providing robust advice and independent challenge on research portfolios, policy development, programmes and investment decision-making and producing rapid analytical products. Calls for FCDO Senior Research Fellowships are run by UKRI (United Kingdom Research and Innovation) and/or the Research Commissioning Centre. Coming soon for 2025 call.  
Further information  

Name: SEFARI Gateway* 
Scheme owner: Scottish Government 
Duration: < 6 months  
Career stage: Any stage   
Type of exchange: Secondment/fellowship  
About the scheme: SEFARI ((Scottish Environment, Food and Agriculture Research Institutions) Gateway is Scotland’s Centre for Knowledge Exchange and Innovation and is funded as part of the Scottish Government’s Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Research Portfolio. SEFARI Gateway Fellowships are bespoke opportunities co-constructed with key partners to deliver solutions to priority needs that also meet Scottish Government National Outcomes and aligned United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. There are a variety of Fellowships where some have worked closely with RESAS (Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division) colleagues (inwards), while others have worked with external stakeholders.  
Further information  

Name: STEM Futures*  
Scheme owner: Government Science & Engineering Profession  
Duration: Varies (weeks to years)  
Career stage: Any stage  
Type of exchange: Secondment/fellowship; capacity building; internships/placements  
About the scheme: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Futures is a partnership of organisations across industry, academia, and the public sector which provides opportunities to exchange and promote STEM knowledge. These opportunities include shadowing, mentoring, placements and secondments. By providing opportunities inside and outside of government, STEM Futures will ensure STEM expertise is applied in policymaking and services while also providing valuable development opportunities.   
Further information  

Name: Thematic Research Leads  
Scheme owner: UK Parliament  
Duration: ~ 2 years  
Career stage: Mid-career  
Type of exchange: Secondment/fellowship  
About the scheme: Thematic Research Leads (TRLs) are mid-career researchers embedded 3 days a week in Parliament, whilst retaining their substantive academic post for the remaining time. The purpose of the TRL is to facilitate and enhance the use of research evidence and expertise in Parliament (in both the House of Commons and House of Lords) through effective knowledge exchange, collaboration and processes. Each TRL leads on a specific policy area.  
Further information

Name: UCL Policy Fellowship Programme  
Scheme owner: University College London  
Duration: 4-6 months  
Career stage: Early-mid career  
Type of exchange: Secondment/fellowship  
About the scheme: The UCL Policy Fellowship Programme provides UCL researchers with the opportunity to work directly with policy professionals whilst embedded within a policy environment, working to support policymakers and parliamentary staff to answer their policy challenges and building research skills and capabilities.  
Further information  

Name: UKRI Policy Fellows  
Scheme owner: UK Research and Innovation  
Duration: 18 months  
Career stage: Early-mid career  
Type of exchange: Secondment/fellowship  
About the scheme: Policy Fellowships provide the opportunity to tackle ambitious and challenging research, apply that research to pressing policy challenges and support the career development of academics in the process. Embedding some of the UK’s brightest researchers into the heart of government, fellows help inform and shape effective public policy and its implementation. Fellows are seconded to a number of different UK government departments, devolved governments departments and What Works Centres (collectively referred to as ‘hosts’). Fellows spend the first 3 months of the fellowship co-designing their research plans to inform policy on a priority area linked to the government missions and UKRI strategic priorities.  
Further Information   

2. Capacity building

Name: ACCESS Leadership College Fellows*  
Scheme owner: Advancing Capacity for Climate and Environment Social Science (ACCESS)  
Duration: 4-5 years  
Career stage: Early-mid career  
Type of exchange: Capacity building  
About the scheme: The ACCESS Leadership College is a diverse group of people from academia, business, charities and the public sector all coming together for 4 annual residential retreats. The College provides opportunities for the group to network and learn from each other and from experts across ACCESS and beyond.  
Further information  

Name: ACCESS Summer School*  
Scheme owner: Advancing Capacity for Climate and Environment Social Science (ACCESS)   
Duration: 1 day   
Career stage: Early-mid career   
Type of exchange: Capacity building   
About the scheme: The ACCESS summer schools provide relaxed and friendly environments for PhD students and early-career researchers to:
1) meet and discuss their research with experts in the field and their peers, working together on issues of environment and climate change,
2) receive interactive training in communicating climate and environmental social science for impact beyond academia (e.g. with policymakers, media, and public), 
3) gain insights into career paths for environmental social scientists post-PhD.   
Further information  

Name: Foundation Future Leaders Programme*  
Scheme owner: Foundation for Science & Technology  
Duration: 1 year  
Career stage: Mid-career  
Type of exchange: Capacity building  
About the scheme: The Foundation Future Leaders Programme seeks to support the leaders of tomorrow in building the links and knowledge that they will need. The programme brings together a cohort of around 30 mid-career professionals over the course of a year, with approximately 10 representatives each from the research community, industry, and the Civil Service and wider public sector. Over a 12-month period, the group meet and discuss with senior figures from government, parliament, universities, large industry, small and medium-sized enterprises, research charities and others. Just as importantly, Future Leaders present their own expertise, develop skills and make future contacts. The programme includes external visits and the development of an annual conference for a wider group of mid-career future leaders in science, technology, research and innovation.  
Further information  

Name: OPEN Fellowship Scheme*  
Scheme owner: University of Oxford   
Duration: 8.5 months   
Career stage: Early-mid career   
Type of exchange: Secondment/fellowship and capacity building   
About the scheme: Oxford Policy Engagement Network (OPEN) Fellowships enable academic and research staff from the University of Oxford to work closely with, or in, an organisation in the policymaking community (Outgoing Fellowship), and for policy professionals to work closely with, or embedded in, a University department or faculty (Incoming Fellowship).   
Further information

Name: OPEN Peer Mentoring Scheme*  
Scheme owner: University of Oxford  
Duration: 6 months  
Career stage: Early-mid career   
Type of exchange: Capacity building   
About the scheme: The Oxford Policy Engagement Network (OPEN) Peer Mentoring Scheme invites applications from OPEN members with academic or research contracts with the University of Oxford. In each cohort, the scheme matches 15 researchers at Oxford and 15 policy professionals at a similar career stage for 6 months, enabling them: 
1) to deepen their understanding of how research can inform policymaking and develop the relevant skills to catalyse that process, 
2) to broaden and deepen their academic and policy networks, 3) to strengthen leadership for academic-policy engagement.    
Further Information](https://www.ox.ac.uk/research/using-research-engage/policy-engagement/training-and-development/open-peer-mentoring-scheme)

Name: OPEN Seed Fund*  
Scheme owner: University of Oxford  
Duration: 3-7 months  
Career stage: Early-mid career  
Type of exchange: Capacity building  
About the scheme: The OPEN Seed Fund offers awards of up to £5,000 to enable researchers at the University of Oxford and public policy professionals anywhere in the world to kick-start or deepen collaboration, working together to design, deliver and evaluate projects that: enable them to share evidence and support its use in policymaking; improve their understanding of how research can inform policymaking, and develop the skills to catalyse that process; and broaden and deepen their networks.   
Further information  

Name: Researchers in Residence  
Scheme owner: University College London, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) and Greater London Authority  
Duration: 4 months (full-time), 6 months (part-time)  
Career stage: Any stage  
Type of exchange: Capacity building  
About the scheme: A policy fellowship scheme between UCL and OHID to strengthen networks and develop researchers’ skills and experience in contributing to policy work. The Researchers in Residence scheme is an exciting opportunity for researchers to apply their knowledge and skills in a different context than academia. It allowed them to make new contacts and build networks, help build research capacity and capability inside policy organisations to help unlock current policy challenges. It also provided experiences for better understanding and strengthened networks between UCL and OHID.    
Further information  

Name: STEM Futures*    
Scheme owner: Government Science & Engineering Profession   
Duration: Varies (weeks to years)  
Career stage: Any stage   
Type of exchange: Secondment/fellowship; capacity building; internships/placements   
About the scheme: STEM Futures is a partnership of organisations across industry, academia, and the public sector which provides opportunities to exchange and promote STEM knowledge. These opportunities include shadowing, mentoring, placements and secondments. By providing opportunities inside and outside of government, STEM Futures will ensure STEM expertise is applied in policymaking and services while also providing valuable development opportunities.   
Further information  

Name: The Brokerage  
Scheme owner: Scottish Policy & Research Exchange  
Duration: Varies  
Career stage: Any stage  
Type of exchange: Capacity building  
About the scheme: The Brokerage is a network of researchers, knowledge mobilisers, and policy professionals who have an interest in improving how evidence and expertise shapes policy. We share formal and informal opportunities for research-policy engagement, and create spaces for relationship-building and shared learning.  
Further information  

3. Internships/Placements

Name: Environment & Rural Affairs (ERA) PhD Placement programme   
Scheme owner: Welsh Government   
Duration: 3-6 months   
Career stage: Pre-career (PhD students)   
Type of exchange: Internship/placement   
About the scheme: The Environment & Rural Affairs PhD placement programme is a rolling scheme which provides research-based placement embedded in policy teams to provide first-hand experience of using evidence to develop policy. The placements are 3 months but can be extended by an additional 3 months.   
Further information

Name: Fast Stream Summer Internship Programme (SIP)  
Scheme owner: Civil Service Fast Stream  
Duration: 6-8 weeks  
Career stage: Pre-career  
Type of exchange: Internship/placement  
About the scheme: The Fast Stream Summer Internship Programme (SIP) gives people the opportunity to see what a career in the Civil Service is like. We welcome people from all backgrounds. It puts talented undergraduates on a work placement in a government department.   
Further information  

Name: Fusion Research Fellowships  
Scheme owner: UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA)
Duration: 2 years  
Career stage: Early career (post-doc)  
Type of exchange: Internship/placement  
About the scheme: Each year, the UK Atomic Energy Authority aims to appoint 1 or 2 outstanding scientists or engineers who have recently completed a doctorate to a 2-year postdoctoral research fellowship in any field of fusion research conducted at UKAEA.  
Further information  

Name: Government Economic Service (GES) sandwich student placement  
Scheme owner: Government Economic and Social Research (GESR) Team  
Duration: 1 year  
Career stage: Pre-career (undergraduate, penultimate year)  
Type of exchange: Internship/placement  
About the scheme: The Government Economic and Social Research (GESR) Team run a 12-month sandwich student placement scheme aimed at students who are seriously considering a career in the GES profession after graduation.  
Further information

Name: Government Social Research (GSR) Sandwich Student Placement  
Scheme owner: Government Economic and Social Research (GESR) Team  
Duration: 1 year  
Career stage: Pre-career (undergraduate, penultimate year)  
Type of exchange: Internship/placement  
About the scheme: The Government Economic and Social Research (GESR) Team run a 12-month sandwich student placement scheme aimed at students who are seriously considering a career in the GSR profession after graduation.  
Further information  

Name: Internship Scheme   
Scheme owner: Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSSS)   
Duration: 3 months full-time equivalent or 6-9 months part-time equivalent   
Career stage: Pre-career (PhD students)   
Type of exchange: Internship/placement   
About the scheme: The SGSSS offers paid internship opportunities for PhD researchers. These internships provide a chance to make a difference to a public, private, or third sector partner organisation while developing transferable skills, knowledge of different sectors, and professional networks. Internships can be undertaken full-time for up to 3 months or part-time for up to 6 months.   
Further information  

Name: Internships with the Wales Centre for Public Policy  
Scheme owner: Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS)    
Duration: 3 months (full-time or the part-time equivalent)    
Career stage: Pre-career (PhD students)    
Type of exchange: Internship/placement    
About the scheme: The WGSSS is pleased to offer 3-month (full-time or the part-time equivalent) internship opportunities with the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP), with an anticipated start in May 2025. There are two types of internships available: 1) an internship which examines the role of evidence in policy making and/or the impact of knowledge mobilisation and, 2) a topic of your own choice, applying your PhD interests and expertise to a policy area within which the WCPP has conducted work. This should focus on the three WCPP priority areas of tackling inequalities, environment and net zero and community wellbeing.    
Further information  

Name: Internships with the Welsh Government   
Scheme owner: Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS)   
Duration: 3-6 months   
Career stage: Pre-career (PhD students)   
Type of exchange: Internship/placement   
About the scheme: The WGSSS is pleased to offer 5 internship opportunities with the Welsh Government, working on specific projects covering a wide range of topics as detailed in the below project descriptions. These internships will offer opportunities to create impact by contributing to the work of government, the chance to build relationships outside of academia, as well as the ability to develop research skills in a policy environment.   
Further information  

Name: PhD Placement Scheme  
Scheme owner: Open Innovation Team   
Duration: 3 months   
Career Stage: Pre-career (PhD students)   
Type of Exchange: Internship/placement   
About the Scheme: PhD placements run throughout the year, spread across 4 cohorts. Placements work on a diverse range of policy projects and participants are not expected to have prior experience of policy or knowledge of the policy area that they are asked to work on. The Open Innovation Team (OIT) is a cross-government unit that works on a wide range of policies, including health, justice, education, sustainability, energy, international development, and artificial intelligence.  
Further information

Name: PhD Secondments  
Scheme owner: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs  
Duration: < 6 months  
Career Stage: Pre-career (PhD students)  
Type of Exchange: Internship/placement  
About the Scheme: Run by the Chief Scientific Adviser’s Office. Please get in touch with Defra for more information.  
Further information  

Name: POST fellowships  
Scheme owner: Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST), UK Parliament  
Duration: 3 months  
Career Stage: Pre-career (PhD/Post-Doc)  
Type of Exchange: Internship/placement  
About the Scheme: The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) offers various PhD and postdoctoral fellowship schemes in collaboration with learned societies and professional associations. POST fellows learn how to write with balance and impartiality by contributing to the production of POSTnotes. They have the opportunity to delve into novel and exciting areas of research, develop a unique understanding of the UK Parliament, and forge relationships with key stakeholders. Some of our fellows also complete secondments with select committees, the House of Commons Library or the House of Lords Library.  
Further information  

Name: Postgraduate Opportunities  
Scheme owner: UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) 
Duration: Varies  
Career Stage: Pre-career (PhD students)  
Type of Exchange: Internship/placement  
About the Scheme: These opportunities are for non-UKAEA PhD students coming on placement to UKAEA. UKAEA also supports 100-300 PhD students at up to 30 universities. Some of these students undertake placements at other organisations, especially students in one of the fusion-related centres for doctoral training.  
Further information  

Name: STEM Futures*  
Scheme owner: Government Science & Engineering Profession   
Duration: Varies (weeks to years)   
Career Stage: Any stage   
Type of Exchange: Secondment/fellowship; capacity building; internships/placements  
About the Scheme: STEM Futures is a partnership of organisations across industry, academia, and the public sector which provides opportunities to exchange and promote STEM knowledge. These opportunities include shadowing, mentoring, placements and secondments. By providing opportunities inside and outside of government, STEM Futures will ensure STEM expertise is applied in policymaking and services while also providing valuable development opportunities.  
Further information  

Name: Student placements and work experience    
Scheme owner: UK Atomic Energy Authority  
Duration: 6 months-2 years  
Career Stage: Pre-career  
Type of Exchange: Internship/placement  
About the Scheme: UKAEA hosts a variety of placements each year for undergraduates and integrated master’s students at UK universities, across various disciplines in the organisation: summer placements (8-12 weeks), industrial placements (6-12 months). These placements provide students with the opportunity to build on their knowledge and provides them with exposure to the Fusion industry, as well as gaining invaluable experience in the workplace. Placements are a fantastic pipeline for the student to join UKAEA upon degree completion, either through the graduate scheme or as a direct entry.  
Further information  

Name: UKRI Policy Internships  
Scheme owner: UK Research and Innovation  
Duration: 3 months  
Career Stage: Pre-career (PhD students)  
Type of Exchange: Internship/placement  
About the Scheme: As part of UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) postgraduate training portfolio, the UKRI Policy Internships scheme provides an opportunity for UKRI-funded doctoral students to undertake a 3-month placement at 1 of a selected group of influential policy organisations. During their internship, the student undertakes training and experience on a policy topic agreed with their host partner that is relevant to both parties.  
Further information