UK Government Midlands Innovation Fellowship 2025-2026 (Research Fellowship at UK Parliament)
Are you a PhD student passionate about turning research into real-world policy impact? The Midlands Innovation Fellowship 2025/26—offered by the UK Parliament Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) in partnership with Midlands Innovation—is your chance to work at the heart of Parliament, shaping evidence-based decisions that affect millions of lives.
This prestigious research fellowship in the UK Parliament offers doctoral researchers a unique opportunity to translate their scientific or social science expertise into policy insight. Applications are now open for the 2025/26 cohort, with the deadline set for 23:55 on 19 October 2025.
About the Midlands Innovation Fellowship
The Midlands Innovation POST Fellowship Scheme provides two 13-week placements for PhD students or recent graduates from participating universities. Fellows will be based within the UK Parliament, contributing to research evidence that supports MPs, Peers, and select committees.
Fellows typically assist POST in preparing POSTnotes, POSTbriefs, or longer research reports. They may also help organize seminars, assist ongoing parliamentary inquiries, or contribute to select committee work. The fellowship can be undertaken full-time (3 months) or part-time to accommodate individual schedules.
Successful candidates will begin their fellowship in April 2026, with start dates coordinated among POST, Midlands Innovation, and the student’s supervisor.
Degree Level
- PhD
Note: Open to current PhD students or those who have recently completed their PhD — within six months before 19 October 2025.
Available Subjects
Applicants must be pursuing or have completed a PhD in one of the following fields:
- Social Sciences
- Life Sciences
- Health Sciences
- Medicine
- Biological Sciences
(In short: open to research areas connected to health, biology, medicine, or social science disciplines.)
Benefits
The Midlands Innovation Fellowship is fully funded by Midlands Innovation. Successful candidates will receive a stipend payment to cover the 13-week placement:
- £7,922.50 (one-off payment)
- OR for clinical academic PhD candidates, a matching 13-week PhD stipend extension
- Payments are made directly by the Fellow’s university approximately one month before the placement begins.
Note: Fellows must manage travel, accommodation, and caring costs from this stipend.
Why Apply?
- Gain hands-on experience in science communication and policy-making.
- Network with MPs, Peers, Select Committees, and UK Parliament researchers.
- Enhance your research translation and public policy skills.
- Contribute to high-impact briefing materials influencing real-world legislation.
- Strengthen your academic CV with a UK Parliament placement.
Eligible Nationalities
The fellowship is not restricted by nationality,
but applicants must be registered as PhD students at one of the participating UK universities under Midlands Innovation.
Eligibility Criteria
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is open to PhD students (including self-funded) or recent graduates from the following Midlands Innovation universities:
- University of Birmingham
- University of Leicester
- Loughborough University
- University of Warwick
- (Students from Aston University, Cranfield University, Keele University, and the University of Nottingham are not eligible for this round.)
Eligible applicants must be:
- Currently pursuing or have recently completed their PhD (within 6 months of 19 October 2025).
- Working in fields related to biological sciences, health, life sciences, medicine, or social sciences.
- Able to pass security vetting (Counter Terrorist Check level) before beginning the placement.
- For 2025/26, first-year PhD students are also eligible—though this may not apply in future rounds.
Application Procedure
Applicants must download and read the application pack carefully before submission. The pack provides full details on the role, assessment process, and the briefing format.
You’ll need to submit:
- A completed online application form via the House of Commons recruitment portal.
- A two-page briefing document on a topic of current interest to Parliamentarians (template provided).
- An approval form signed by your PhD Supervisor and Head of Department or Grant Holder.
- Application deadline: Sunday, 19 October 2025 (23:55)
- Interviews: 19–20 November 2025
- Online info session: Thursday, 2 October 2025 (14:30–15:30)
Apply via the House of Commons recruitment portal
Key Dates for Midlands Innovation Fellowship 2025/26
- Applications Open: Now
- Information Session: 2 October 2025
- Application Deadline: 19 October 2025 (23:55)
- Interviews: 19–20 November 2025
- Fellowship Start Date: April 2026
