Parliamentary Academic Fellowship Scheme

See which fellowship projects are currently open for applications.

The Parliamentary Academic Fellowship Scheme runs on a rolling basis, as Parliament identifies a need for academic expertise.

The Scheme provides a unique opportunity for researchers to learn about how research feeds into practice and the challenges faced by decision-makers, as well as increasing opportunities for researchers from all disciplines to engage and connect with people in UK Parliament. If you are looking for development, interested in a new challenge, or searching for more ways to share expertise and undertake knowledge exchange - at any stage of your career - this could be for you.

What is the Parliamentary Academic Fellowship Scheme?

This Scheme gives university-based researchers and staff working in knowledge exchange the opportunity to participate in a fellowship project with an office in Parliament. These fellowship projects have been proposed by a team at Parliament as a project on which academic input is needed. Projects might involve bringing expertise into parliamentary teams, informing parliamentary scrutiny, analysing and evaluating parliamentary practices, or helping to grow Parliament's academic networks.

The Knowledge Exchange Unit (KEU) in the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) runs the Parliamentary Academic Fellowship Scheme.

What projects are open for applications?

There are no fellowships currently open for applications.

Why should I apply for a fellowship?

Fellowships are a key way that research and researchers can impact Parliament. Outcomes for fellows who have participated in the Scheme have included: research impact, increased knowledge of Parliament, and developed networks. They have also included impact on career, impact on own research agenda, publications, and impacts on teaching. Details on the impacts of previous fellowship projects, as well as some case studies, are outlined in the KEU's report on the pilot scheme (pdf, 203KB).

Who is it open to?

Applications are open to all UK-based university researchers who already have a PhD and are employed on an academic contract. Exceptionally, they are also open to those who do not have a PhD but have equivalent experience of a PhD and are employed on an academic contract. They are also open to university staff working in impact or knowledge exchange (including staff working in university libraries).

We welcome applications from everyone regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, marital status or whether or not they have a disability.

Applicants must have permission to work in the UK. Applicants must also be eligible for a parliamentary pass and, if offered a fellowship, will need to receive security clearance from UK Parliament to CTC level.

For more information on eligibility, explore the Guidance Notes for Applicants. (pdf, 579KB)

How is it funded?

You must seek funding to conduct the fellowship, from research institutions or research funders. If you have any questions about the eligibility of funding sources, please contact the Knowledge Exchange Unit on keu@parliament.uk who will be pleased to advise.

For more information and advice on funding, explore the Guidance Notes for Applicants. (pdf, 579KB)

Is flexible working available?

Each fellowship project details the proposed location, timeline and working arrangements for that project. We encourage flexible working, and applicants can discuss this with the host team at interview stage.

The majority of opportunities allow part time and/or remote working, or majority remote working. Interviews will take place virtually. Applicants can apply individually, or two applicants can apply to jointly deliver a fellowship.

How can I apply?

Identify the project you would like to apply for. You can find more information about a fellowship project by clicking on its title and opening the Fellowship Description document.
Explore the Guidance Notes for Applicants (pdf, 579KB). This gives information on key dates, eligibility and security clearance, funding, how to apply, assessment and selection process, our values, reasonable adjustments and workplace adjustments, ethics approval, fellow status, terms and conditions, and contacts and sources of further information.
Complete the online application by the stated deadline. You can find the application for a fellowship project by clicking on its title.
The application process will take place virtually, and applicants will be notified if they have or haven't been successful at each stage.

Where can I get more information?

The Knowledge Exchange Unit held an online information session about a Call put out in early 2022 on Wednesday 9 February 2022. The session gave an overview of the scheme and the application process, and tips on drafting an application, as well as sharing experiences of people who have participated in the scheme before.

Please note, this recording relates to an earlier call, so some aspects of the process have changed slightly, as well as the key dates.

We also encourage applicants to contact the policy or impact team at their university, who may be able to support applicants or offer advice in shaping applications.

For any questions, please contact the Knowledge Exchange Unit on keu@parliament.uk.