# Sector Transition Fellowships

**Funder:** UKRI
**Duration:** 18 months
**Consortium:** No - individual applicant, hosted by a UK or devolved government department, arm's-length body or What Works Network member
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/sector-transition-ukri-policy-fellowships-2026/
**Last updated:** 25 Oct 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Policy fellowships embedding academics (early/mid-career, or all career stages for What Works Innovation fellowships) within UK/devolved government, arm's-length bodies or What Works Network hosts for 18 months to transfer research knowledge into policy. Applicants must be based at an eligible UKRI research organisation, hold a doctorate or equivalent research experience, and meet security/nationality and right-to-work-in-UK requirements by the expected start date (1 May 2027).

## Summary

The Sector Transition Fellowships from UKRI fund individual academics to spend 18 months embedded within a UK or devolved government department, arm's-length body, or What Works Network host, transferring research knowledge into policy. The call targets early/mid-career researchers at UKRI-eligible research organisations, though What Works Innovation fellowships are open to all career stages. Applicants must hold a doctorate or equivalent research experience and meet security and right-to-work requirements by the expected start date.

## Who should apply

- Early/mid-career academics based at a UKRI-eligible research organisation
- Researchers of any career stage applying for What Works Innovation fellowships
- Applicants holding a doctorate or equivalent research experience
- UK-based researchers able to meet security, nationality and right-to-work requirements
- Individuals interested in embedding within government rather than leading a consortium

## Key dates

- Expected start date of 1 May 2027
- 18-month fellowship duration
- Individual application, hosted by a UK/devolved government department, arm's-length body or What Works Network member

## Tips for applicants

- Identify and name a specific government, arm's-length body or What Works Network host early, since the fellowship is built around embedding with that host.
- Confirm right-to-work and security clearance timelines well ahead of the 1 May 2027 start date, as these are explicit eligibility gates.
- If applying for a What Works Innovation fellowship, note that eligibility extends beyond early/mid-career, which can widen your competitive pool.

## Frequently asked questions

### How long is the UKRI Sector Transition Fellowship?

It runs for 18 months, embedding the researcher within a government or What Works Network host.

### Who can apply for the Sector Transition Fellowship?

Early/mid-career academics at a UKRI-eligible research organisation with a doctorate or equivalent research experience; What Works Innovation fellowships are open to all career stages.

### Is a consortium required for this fellowship?

No, it is an individual applicant award, though the applicant must be hosted by an eligible government department, arm's-length body or What Works Network member.

### When does the Sector Transition Fellowship start?

The expected start date is 1 May 2027, and applicants must meet security, nationality and right-to-work requirements by that date.

### Can international researchers apply?

The call is restricted to GB-eligible applicants who meet UK security, nationality and right-to-work requirements.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/ukri-sector-transition-fellowships-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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