Are you an academic researcher looking to make a real-world impact on global policy? The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is offering eleven prestigious Senior Research Fellowships for 2027, a rare opportunity for senior academics in the UK to embed their expertise directly into one of the world’s most influential foreign policy institutions.
Whether your research focus lies in global health, artificial intelligence, conflict, food security, or climate resilience, there may be a fellowship tailored precisely to your expertise. Read on to find out everything you need to know about this exciting opportunity.
Overview:
On behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Global Research and Technology Development (GRTD) Research Commissioning Centre (RCC), co-led by 3ie and the University of Birmingha, is inviting qualified applicants to apply for eleven Senior Research Fellowships.
These fellowships span a wide and ambitious range of thematic areas, reflecting the breadth of challenges that the FCDO works to address across the globe:
- Gender and Equity
- Conflict
- AI for Development
- Food and Agriculture
- Economic Development
- Systemic Resilience of Combined Human, Social, Economic, Political and Ecological Systems
- Hybrid and Transnational Threats
- Polar Regions
- Critical Minerals
- Technology, Geopolitics and Information Manipulation
- Global Health
This is not a standard academic grant. These fellowships are designed to place senior researchers directly within the FCDO, allowing them to contribute expert knowledge to real-time foreign and development policy decisions. If you are passionate about bridging the gap between academic research and government policy, this opportunity is made for you.
About the FCDO and the Research Commissioning Centre:
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is the UK government department responsible for promoting British interests worldwide, supporting its allies, and tackling global challenges, from poverty and climate change to conflict and public health crises.
To strengthen the evidence base behind its work, the FCDO established the GRTD Research Commissioning Centre (RCC). Co-led by 3ie and the University of Birmingham, the RCC was created specifically to commission and manage high-quality research that enhances the FCDO’s development and foreign policy impact.
One of the key goals of the RCC is to cut through the red tape that often slows down research collaboration between academia and government. It offers a streamlined commissioning process, ensuring that researchers can focus on producing impactful evidence rather than navigating complex bureaucratic procedures. The RCC works closely with FCDO teams to identify their research needs, match them with the right academic experts, and ensure that findings are translated into meaningful policy outcomes.
The Senior Research Fellowships are one of the flagship initiatives of the RCC, designed to bring world-class academic minds into the heart of UK government policymaking.
At a Glance: Key Details:
Before diving into the details, here is a quick summary of the most important facts about this fellowship programme:
- Awarding Body: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), via the GRTD Research Commissioning Centre (RCC)
- Managing Partners: 3ie and the University of Birmingham
- Number of Fellowships: Eleven (11)
- Fellowship Duration: Two years at 0.4 FTE (part-time)
- Placement Location: FCDO Head Office in London or East Kilbride, UK
- Fellowship Start Date: 1 April 2027
- Application Deadline: 30 August 2026 at 5:00 PM GMT
- Eligibility: Associate Professor level or above, employed at a UK academic institution
Key Dates:
Keeping track of deadlines is crucial when applying for competitive fellowships. Here are all the important dates you need to mark on your calendar:
- Call for Applications Opens: 20 May 2026
- Application Deadline: 30 August 2026 at 5:00 PM GMT
- Review Process: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis
- Interviews: Held in early October 2026
- Fellowship Commencement: 1 April 2027
Please Note: These dates are subject to change. Any revisions will be updated on the official RCC website, so it is advisable to check back regularly for any updates.
Given that applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, it is strongly recommended that you do not wait until the deadline to submit your application. Submitting early increases your chances of receiving timely feedback and progressing through the review process smoothly.
Fellowship Structure and Placement Details:
Duration
Each fellowship is offered for a period of two years, with fellows working at 0.4 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE). This means you will be dedicating approximately two days per week to your FCDO placement, while continuing to remain employed by your home academic institution. This part-time structure is designed to allow fellows to maintain their academic commitments while making a meaningful contribution to government policy.
Location
Placements will be hosted at one of two FCDO locations:
- FCDO Head Office, London
- East Kilbride, Scotland
Fellows will be expected to work on-site at their designated FCDO location as part of their placement. It is important to note that all placements are subject to the fellow successfully obtaining the required security clearance before the fellowship can commence.
Eligibility Requirements
This fellowship programme is aimed at senior academics with the expertise and experience to make a genuine contribution to high-level UK foreign and development policy. Here is a breakdown of the core eligibility requirements:
Academic Seniority
- Applicants must hold at least an Associate Professor level position (or equivalent) within a UK academic institution.
- Fellows will remain employees of their sending institution throughout the duration of the placement. This means you will not need to leave your university position to take up the fellowship.
Security Clearance
Given the sensitive nature of the work conducted within the FCDO, all fellows must be able to obtain the appropriate level of UK security clearance. There are two levels of clearance relevant to this programme, each with different residency requirements:
1. Developed Vetting (DV)
- Applicants must have lived in the UK for at least 5 of the last 10 years.
2. Security Clearance (SC)
- Applicants must have lived in the UK for at least 2 of the last 5 years.
What Counts as UK Residency?
It is essential to understand what qualifies as UK residency for these purposes. Residency refers strictly to physical presence in the UK during the relevant periods. The following alone do NOT meet the residency requirement:
- Holding a UK bank account
- Having a UK postal address
Security clearance involves thorough assurance checks carried out in the UK, which is why demonstrable physical residency is a mandatory criterion. If you are unsure whether your residency history meets the requirements, it is advisable to seek clarification before applying.
Thematic Areas:
One of the most exciting aspects of this fellowship programme is the diversity of research areas it covers. There are eleven thematic fellowships in total, each corresponding to a distinct area of FCDO policy interest. Applicants should apply for the thematic area that best matches their expertise and research background.
The eleven thematic areas are:
- Gender and Equity
- Conflict
- AI for Development
- Food and Agriculture
- Economic Development
- Systemic Resilience of Combined Human (Social, Economic, Political) and Ecological Systems
- Hybrid and Transnational Threats
- Polar Regions
- Critical Minerals
- Technology, Geopolitics and Information Manipulation
- Global Health
Each link above will take you to the specific job description for that thematic area. Carefully review the job description for your chosen field before starting your application, as each area may have unique research expectations and requirements.
How to Apply:
The application process is conducted entirely through the RCC’s online Grant Management System. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Step 1: Visit the RCC Grant Management System and create an account or log in if you already have one.
Step 2: Review the job description for your chosen thematic area using the links provided in the section above.
Step 3: Complete the application form within the Grant Management System, ensuring all sections are filled in accurately and thoroughly.
Step 4: Submit your application before the deadline of 30 August 2026 at 5:00 PM GMT.
A comprehensive User Guide for the Grant Management System is available on the GRTD website. If you are unfamiliar with the platform, it is highly recommended that you consult this guide before starting your application to avoid any technical difficulties.
Supporting Policies and Documents:
If you are shortlisted for a fellowship, you will be required to adhere to a range of FCDO and 3ie policies. The RCC strongly recommends reviewing all of these documents before submitting your application, so that you are fully informed about your obligations should you be selected.
The key supporting documents are:
- FCDO Senior Research Fellowship โ Agreement Template and Award Letter
- FCDO Programme Operating Framework (PrOF)
- Conflict of Interest and Publication Guidance for Research and Policy Fellows Seconded into the FCDO
- 3ie Safeguarding Policy
- 3ie Fraud and Anti-Corruption Policy
- 3ie Transparent, Reproducible, and Ethical Evidence (TREE) Policy
Important Disclaimer: In the event of any discrepancies between the FCDO’s Programme Operating Framework (PrOF) guidance and 3ie’s policies, the PrOF guidance will take precedence.
Taking the time to read through these documents thoroughly before applying will help you understand the full scope of what the fellowship entails and ensure that you are comfortable with the requirements before committing to the process.
Why You Should Apply:
This fellowship programme represents a genuinely rare opportunity for UK-based academic researchers. Here is why it stands out:
- Policy Impact at the Highest Level: Fellows will work directly within the FCDO, one of the UK’s most significant government departments, contributing research expertise to real-world foreign and development policy decisions.
- Continued Academic Employment: Unlike many secondment programmes, you will remain an employee of your home institution throughout the fellowship, protecting your academic career progression.
- Part-Time Commitment: At 0.4 FTE, the fellowship is designed to fit around your existing academic responsibilities, making it a realistic option for busy researchers.
- Prestigious Affiliation: Being selected as an FCDO Senior Research Fellow is a significant professional distinction that reflects the highest level of recognition for academic researchers engaging with government.
- Diverse Thematic Coverage: With eleven fellowships across a broad spectrum of disciplines, there is likely a thematic area that aligns closely with your expertise.
Contact Information:
If you have any questions about the fellowship programme, the application process, or eligibility requirements, you are encouraged to reach out directly to the RCC team.
Email: rcc@3ieimpact.org
Subject Line: Senior Research Fellow Request for Clarification
Please include the specified subject line in your email to ensure your query is directed to the correct team and receives a prompt response.
