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Applications open for Open Innovation Policy Fellowship 2023/24

The Open Innovation Policy Fellowship is now accepting applications for 2023/2024. The fellowship helps officials answer a specific policy research question.

The Open Innovation Team (OIT) has opened applications for the second cohort of its Open Innovation Policy Fellowship. The fellowship provides Civil Servants (SEO-G6 level) with the opportunity to be partnered with an academic mentor from Brunel University London, the University of Essex, Lancaster University, the University of Surrey or the University of York to help officials answer a specific research question related to their policy area.   

This round follows last year’s successful pilot. In 2022/23, three Civil Servants from the Cabinet Office, the Department for Business and Trade and the UK Health Security Agency were partnered with academic mentors from the University of Essex, where they developed research papers on specific government policy. More information about last year’s fellows can be found here.   

Benefits of becoming a fellow include:  

  • opportunities to learn new skills
  • engagement with academics to build subject knowledge
  • access to data and support with analysis and interpretation
  • networking with academics and other officials

The second round of applications for the fellowship will match officials with an academic working on a policy relevant to the following areas of expertise.

Education policy:

  • education and skills
  • education and ethnic and racial inequalities
  • education and SEND

Health and social care policy:

  • ageing and loneliness
  • health and adult social care
  • adolescent mental health
  • well-being and work

Artificial intelligence policy:

  • artificial intelligence
  • AI governance
  • responsible AI
  • AI for society
  • inclusive AI

Intelligence, elections and cyber policy:

  • intelligence and security
  • electoral modernisation and integrity
  • cyber-security and protection science

Other policy areas:

  • immigration and migration
  • creative industries
  • housing
  • social security

The first round of applications will close on 8 December 2023, but applicants can explore the possibility of starting earlier if there are tight deadlines for outputs that officials want to deliver. This will depend on the availability of relevant academic mentors.

To apply:

Updates to this page

Published 7 November 2023