Apply for the Defra Research and Development Fellowship Programme 2026 - the UK government's flagship science-to-policy fellowship at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Spend 6 - 12 months embedded in Defra policy teams with a competitive Civil Service salary (HEO/SEO grades), working at the evidence-to-policy interface on climate, biodiversity, food, water, and environmental security. Applications close 14 September 2026 at 23:55 UK time. Fellowships run 1 April 2027 - 30 March 2028.
Now in its fourth year, the programme offers roughly 65 placements for scientists, researchers, engineers, and analysts from academia and industry. Previous fellows have worked on AI monitoring, fisheries policy, plant health, circular economy evidence, and environmental modelling.
This Opportunity Station guide is original copy based on official Defra and Civil Service Careers pages. It is not a reprint of any third-party blog.
Quick Facts - Defra R&D Fellowship 2027/28
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | Defra Research and Development Fellowship Programme (2027/28 cohort) |
| Host | Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), United Kingdom |
| Type | Paid short-term Civil Service fellowship (HEO / SEO grades) |
| Duration | 6 - 12 months (majority 12 months) |
| Start / end | From 1 April 2027; must end by 30 March 2028 |
| Pattern | Full-time or part-time; job share available |
| Placements | ~65 fellowships across Defra and arms-length bodies |
| Deadline | 14 September 2026, 23:55 UK time |
| Webinar | 3 September 2026, 09:45 - 10:30 UK time |
| Official page | Civil Service Careers - Defra Fellowships |
| Apply | Defra fellowship job advert |
What Is the Defra R&D Fellowship?
Defra leads UK policy on the environment, food, farming, climate adaptation, biodiversity, water, fisheries, and biosecurity. Through the R&D Fellowship Programme, external researchers join Defra's science, evidence, and policy teams to translate research into decisions that affect millions of people.
Fellows work on real government projects - synthesising evidence, supporting policy development, collaborating with Natural England, the Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, and other partners, and building networks across academia and the Civil Service.
Salary and Benefits
| Grade | Salary |
|---|---|
| HEO (National) | £33,590 |
| HEO (London) | £37,480 |
| SEO (National) | £41,220 |
| SEO (London) | £44,500 |
- Paid Civil Service salary for the fellowship duration
- Possible £3,000 Specialist Skills Supplement per annum (pro rata, non-pensionable)
- First-hand experience of UK government evidence-to-policy processes
- Multidisciplinary teams spanning science, analysis, and policy
- Professional networks across Defra, arms-length bodies, and academia
- Skills in policy writing, stakeholder engagement, and science communication
- Flexible working and job-share options
- Secondment arrangements may be possible for some candidates
Policy Areas You Could Work On
Fellowships span Defra's full remit, including:
- Environmental protection, biodiversity, and nature recovery
- Climate change, adaptation, and carbon reduction
- Food security, farming innovation, and agricultural policy
- Water quality, fisheries, and marine ecosystems
- Plant and animal health, biosecurity, and food safety
- Data science, AI, environmental modelling, and operational research
- Circular economy, waste, and sustainable resource management
- Environmental risk, resilience, and national security
Who Can Apply
You must meet one of these academic or professional pathways:
- An undergraduate degree (including degree apprenticeships) in a science, engineering, or analytical discipline and a postgraduate degree (or expect to complete one before 1 April 2027) in any science, engineering, or analytical discipline
- Chartered Engineer or Chartered Scientist registered through an institution licensed by the Engineering Council or Science Council
- Proven equivalent experience in a relevant science, engineering, or analytical discipline
Defra also looks for:
- Experience working as a researcher and/or in an R&D environment
- Strong communication - translating science for peers and non-specialists
- Ability to manage workload, prioritise, and work in teams
- Experience delivering sustained projects (e.g. research programmes)
- For SEO-grade fellowships: project/programme leadership and cross-organisational networking
Previous Defra R&D fellows are not eligible to reapply. Early, mid-career, and experienced researchers are all welcome.
Nationality and Right to Work
This role is open to applicants with the right to work in the UK Civil Service, including:
- UK nationals
- Republic of Ireland nationals
- Commonwealth nationals with the right to work in the UK
- EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein nationals (and family members) with settled or pre-settled status under EUSS, or a valid EUSS application
- Certain individuals with limited or indefinite leave to remain eligible for EUSS
- Turkish nationals (and certain family members) with accrued Civil Service work rights
How to Apply
- Read the programme overview on Civil Service Careers - Defra Fellowships and the full job advert and candidate pack.
- Prepare employment history, qualifications, and a 500-word personal statement covering your experience, technical expertise, motivation, and preferred policy area(s).
- Submit via the UK Civil Service Jobs portal linked from the official advert before 14 September 2026, 23:55 UK time.
- Optional: attend the applicant webinar on 3 September 2026, 09:45 - 10:30 (registration via the official page - not required to apply).
Shortlisting is expected 21 September - 2 October 2026; virtual interviews 12 - 30 October 2026. Questions: CSDFellowshipsTeam@defra.gov.uk.
Required Documents
- Online Civil Service Jobs application form
- Employment history and educational qualifications
- 500-word personal statement (experience, skills, motivation, policy area interests)
- Selection of preferred Defra policy area(s) of interest
Official Links
Apply - Defra R&D Fellowship job advert
Programme overview - Defra Fellowships
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FAQs - Defra R&D Fellowship 2026
When is the deadline?
14 September 2026 at 23:55 UK time (BST).
When do fellowships start?
From 1 April 2027, lasting 6 - 12 months, ending by 30 March 2028.
Is this a paid position?
Yes. Fellows are paid at HEO or SEO Civil Service salary rates (£33,590 - £44,500 depending on grade and location).
Can Commonwealth citizens apply?
Yes, if you have the right to work in the UK Civil Service.
Do I need prior policy experience?
No. Defra welcomes researchers from academia and industry who want to learn how evidence informs government.
How competitive is it?
Highly competitive - roughly 65 placements from a large applicant pool. Prepare a strong personal statement.
Will I get a permanent Civil Service job afterward?
Fellowships are fixed-term. There is no guarantee of a role after the scheme, but the experience strengthens future Civil Service or academic applications.
