91TV

/ Grants at the Royal Society / Training, mentoring and partnership schemes

Policy Associate scheme

This scheme offers Royal Society Research Fellows the opportunity to undertake a policy secondment and gain first-hand experience of how research informs decision-making in government.

Status: Closed Opening: 05 May 2026

  • Open date

  • Close date

  • Decision date

Applications will open on Tuesday 5 May 2026

Eligibility: University Research Fellows, Dorothy Hodgkin Fellows and Career Development Fellows

Duration: 3 months full-time or part-time equivalent

This page will be updated on 5 May with a link to apply.

Email the Science Policy centre with any queries: science.policy@royalsociety.org.

Please refer to the scheme guidance notes (PDF) for further details. 

About the scheme

The Science Policy Associate scheme enables Royal Society Research Fellows to undertake a policy secondment within a science policy environment, such as a central government department, devolved administration, arm's-length body or other relevant public organisation.

Secondments can be undertaken either:

  • as a 3-month placement on a full-time basis or;
  • over 6 to 9 months on a part-time basis

During the secondment, Policy Associates will work closely with their host organisation on live policy issues. Activities may include contributing to policy development, supporting evidence reviews and engaging with policymakers and stakeholders.

The specific scope of each secondment is agreed between the Policy Associate and the host organisation, allowing flexibility to align with both policy priorities and the Associate's expertise and aspirations.

Why apply?

  • Gain first-hand experience in a policy environment
  • Understand how evidence is used in decision-making
  • Build networks across government and policy organisations
  • Develop new perspectives on the impact of your research

Find out about our Policy Associate alumni experiences by visiting our case studies pages.

Am I eligible?

The scheme is open to Royal Society-funded University Research Fellows, Dorothy Hodgkin Fellows and Career Development Fellows. Applicants must have completed the first year of their fellowship by July 2026 and have at least 18 months remaining at that point.

This is the first year that Career Development Fellows are eligible to apply.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online using the Royal Society's grants and awards management system, Flexi-Grant®. If you have not previously used Flexi-Grant®, please follow the registration process from the Flexi-Grant® homepage.

What support is offered?

91TV welcomes applications from scientists with disabilities and provides adjustments to ensure that they can participate fully in the selection process. If you need an adjustment when accessing the application form or for any other part of the application process, please contact the Science Policy centre (see below for contact details). Adjustments can include, but are not limited to:

  • extension of the deadline
  • additional support to complete the application form

91TV recognises that diversity is essential for delivering excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Society wants to encourage applications from the widest range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to maximise innovation and creativity in science for the benefit of humanity. We regularly review and revise processes to help ensure that all talented applicants have an equitable chance to succeed as per the assessment criteria. This includes ensuring all panel members are briefed on unconscious bias in decision-making as part of our assessment process.

For more information regarding the scheme, or for any queries, please contact Gill Varon via the Science Policy centre: science.policy@royalsociety.org.

Downloads

Dr Elin McCormack

Dr Elin McCormack

Dorothy Hodgkin Fellow seconded to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

I learnt a lot about how science policy decisions are made within the government, and the key role the evidence from scientific research plays in helping these decisions. However, the highlight of the secondment for me was to work with an extremely dedicated and dynamic team who care deeply about climate science.
Dr Marina Antoniou, Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellow and Policy Associate 2019.

Dr Marina Antoniou

Dorothy Hodgkin Fellow seconded to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

This experience has convinced me to pursue any future opportunities to engage with policy. The idea of making a difference (big or small) to people’s lives is truly inspiring.
blank avatar

Professor Tom Richards

University Research Fellow seconded to the Food Standards Agency

I would highly recommend the experience for two reasons: you get to see and contribute to science working with policy, which is exactly what the policy secondment is set up to do, and you get to be part of something totally different, operating in a team that is largely alien to the life of an academic. This second bonus was not advertised but for me very valuable.
Carwin Wright

Professor Corwin Wright

University Research Fellow seconded to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

This placement was both interesting and a fascinating opportunity for civic engagement, something few of us have the proper opportunity to do given time demands and the complexity of modern society.