Applications are now open for eleven Senior Research Fellowships at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).These fellowships are offered through the Global Research and Technology Development Research Commissioning Centre(GRTD). They cover important areas such as Gender and Equity, Conflict, AI for Development, and Global Health.
The application deadline is 30 August 2026 at 5pm GMT. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.These are partially funded placements. The fellowship provides funding for 0.4 full time equivalent work for two years. There is no application fee.Senior academics at Associate Professor level or above who work at UK universities can apply. Applicants must meet UK security clearance residency rules. For more BS, MS, Phd, Postdoc Positions visit here.
Key Details:
- Program Name: Senior Research Fellowships at FCDO
- Degree Level: Research Fellowship
- Host Country: United Kingdom
- Host Organization: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
- Application Deadline: 30 August 2026 at 5pm GMT
- Open For: UK based academics only
- Application Fee: None
Background:
The GRTD Research Commissioning Centre (RCC) was established to commission and manage high-quality research that strengthens both development and foreign policy impact.
The Centre supports FCDO teams by streamlining the research commissioning process, reducing bureaucracy, and ensuring impactful research delivery.
What this scholarship offers:
- Direct embedding inside the FCDO to work with policy teams
- Funding support for 0.4 full time equivalent position over two years
- Opportunity to influence UK foreign and development policy with expert knowledge
- Access to high level government networks and decision makers
- Chance to produce influential research outputs and policy advice
- Practical experience in bridging academic research and real world government work
- Continued employment at your UK university while gaining policy impact
- Professional development through high level policy engagement
- Deeper understanding of how research shapes international diplomacy and development
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Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants must hold at least Associate Professor level position or equivalent.
- They must be currently employed by a UK academic institution.
- Fellows will remain employees of their home university during the placement.
- Applicants must be able to obtain UK security clearance.(DV or SC)
- Developed Vetting (DV): Lived in the UK for at least 5 of the last 10 years.
- Security Clearance (SC): Lived in the UK for at least 2 of the last 5 years.
- Residency means physical presence; bank accounts or postal addresses alone do not suffice.
- Bank accounts or postal addresses alone do not count as residency.
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Programs Available:
- 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
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How to Apply:
- Visit the official GRTD website
- Review the detailed job description for your chosen thematic area
- Complete the application form through the RCC Grant Management System
- Submit your application before 30 August 2026 at 5pm GMT
- Prepare for possible interviews in early October 2026 if shortlisted
- Email rcc@3ieimpact.org for any questions (use subject line “Senior Research Fellow Request for Clarification”)
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Important Notes:
- Selected fellows must follow FCDO and 3ie policies on safeguarding, conflict of interest, and research ethics
- These placements are subject to successful security clearance
- This is an excellent opportunity for senior UK academics who want to make direct policy impact through their research expertise
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