# Sector Transition UKRI Policy Fellowships 2026 — Natural Hazards and Resilience Policy Fellowships

**Funder:** UKRI
**Budget:** Up to £224,000 (80% of up to £280,000 FEC, incl. £100,000 research & collaboration budget)
**Deadline:** 10 September 2026 (4:00pm UK time; co-funded by DCMS as part of the COVID-19 Commemoration programme)
**Duration:** 18 months
**Consortium:** No
**Application:** Single stage application; 3-month inception phase (from 1 May 2027), 12-month host placement, 3-month knowledge exchange phase
**Frequency:** One-off
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/sector-transition-ukri-policy-fellowships-2026/
**Last verified:** 18 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

UK academic researchers embedded in government host departments focusing on natural hazards and resilience. Includes an additional £100,000 research and collaboration budget co-funded by DCMS. Applicants must hold a doctorate or equivalent. Fellowship starts 1 May 2027. Minimum 0.6 FTE during placement. Includes £15,000 mandatory flexible budget.

## Summary

The Sector Transition UKRI Policy Fellowships for Natural Hazards and Resilience embed UK doctoral-level researchers in government departments for 18 months, offering up to £224,000 (80% of £280,000 FEC) plus a dedicated £100,000 research and collaboration budget co-funded by DCMS. Applicants must focus on natural hazards and resilience policy and commit to a minimum 0.6 FTE placement with a UK government host. This one-off call, co-funded as part of the COVID-19 Commemoration programme, closes 10 September 2026 with a start date of 1 May 2027.

## Who should apply

- UK researchers with a doctorate or equivalent qualification
- Academics seeking embedded policy impact in government departments
- Those with research expertise in natural hazards and resilience
- Researchers able to commit 0.6 FTE or higher during the 12-month placement phase

## Key dates

- Deadline: 10 September 2026, 4:00pm UK time
- Single-stage application
- 18-month fellowship: 3-month inception (1 May 2027), 12-month placement, 3-month knowledge exchange

## Tips for applicants

- Secure a government host department in advance; the funder expects a named, committed partner by application.
- Frame your natural hazards or resilience research question as a live policy problem, not a theoretical gap.
- The £100,000 research and collaboration budget is co-funded by DCMS specifically for policy-facing activity; highlight how you will deploy it to influence departmental decisions.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much money does the Sector Transition UKRI Policy Fellowship provide?

Up to £224,000 (80% of £280,000 FEC) plus a dedicated £100,000 research and collaboration budget co-funded by DCMS, including a mandatory £15,000 flexible budget.

### Who is eligible for the Natural Hazards and Resilience Policy Fellowships?

UK researchers holding a doctorate or equivalent, focused on natural hazards and resilience policy, willing to embed in a UK government department at 0.6 FTE minimum.

### How long is the fellowship and when does it start?

18 months total: a 3-month inception phase, 12-month placement, and 3-month knowledge exchange phase, beginning 1 May 2027.

### Is this a recurring call?

No, this is a one-off call co-funded by DCMS as part of the COVID-19 Commemoration programme.

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

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