BPS and Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology joint award launched

The BPS is delighted to announce the launch of this year's joint Postgraduate Award with the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST). The fellowship is awarded each year to one psychology PhD student who is interested in pursuing a career in parliamentary and political research.

The role involves getting hands-on experience at the House of Lords Library, House of Commons Library and Select Committees, with the successful candidate being able to get involved with: 

• Creating psychology-related briefing materials for MPs and peers
• Assisting a select committee with writing inquiries
• Writing POSTnotes – summaries on psychological research which are relevant to parliament
• Analysing research for briefings on a range of topics

The fellowship lasts 13 weeks (full-time) or longer if part-time. It may be undertaken remotely, at POST's offices in Westminster, or under hybrid working arrangements.

The opportunity will be funded by the BPS and successful candidates will receive a one-off payment of £7,922.50, with the successful applicant starting their fellowship by January 2026 or by April 2026.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be a Postgraduate student registered for a doctoral degree in a psychology-related subject e.g. PhD/MPhil
• Or, be registered for a taught practitioner doctorate (e.g DClinPsy) at a UK Higher Education Institute
• Or, for their PhD funding to end within the 12 months prior to the application deadline (if your funding ended before 4 May 2024, you are not eligible for this fellowship)

Applicants must have completed their first year of full-time study (or equivalent if part-time) by the end of 2025 and applicants must be at least a current Graduate Member of the British Psychological Society.

Anyone who is interested in learning more about the fellowship is encouraged to attend our webinar hosted by POST, taking place 4 - 5pm on 31 March, where you'll be able to learn more about the application process and what's involved with the fellowship. 

Sign up to the webinar

How to apply

This is a two-stage application: an initial application and an interview. Full details of the application and selection process can be found in the application guidance document.

You can find out more information and how to apply on the Fellowship's webpage.

The deadline to apply is 4 May 2025.