Entries Open: UKRI What Works Innovation Fellowship (United Kingdom)

The UKRI What Works Innovation Fellowship supports researchers in the United Kingdom to deliver 18-month evidence-based research projects that help prevent or reduce violence against women and girls (VAWG). Hosted by a Government-backed What Works Centre and funded through the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Research & Development Missions Accelerator Programme, the fellowship focuses on generating practical evidence to improve national policies and interventions.

UKRI What Works Innovation Fellowship 2026

The UKRI What Works Innovation Fellowship is part of a national research initiative that aims to strengthen the evidence base for preventing violence against women and girls across the UK.

The fellowship is hosted by the Youth Endowment Fund, one of the Government-backed What Works Centres, and contributes to the development of the National What Works Programme on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

Researchers selected for the fellowship will work closely with policymakers, practitioners, and sector partners to produce research that informs effective prevention strategies and public policy.

About the Fellowship

The fellowship seeks to bridge the gap between research and policymaking by supporting projects that generate rigorous, actionable evidence.

Fellows will be embedded within a What Works Centre, where they will:

• Conduct high-quality applied research.
• Collaborate with government and sector partners.
• Develop practical solutions to prevent violence against women and girls.
• Support evidence-informed decision-making.
• Contribute to national policy and practice.

A major priority is understanding and addressing online harms and technology-facilitated violence affecting young people.

Fellowship Duration

• Duration: 18 months

Funding

The fellowship is funded through:

• UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
• Research & Development Missions Accelerator Programme

The opportunity forms part of a wider national investment in evidence-based approaches to tackling violence against women and girls.

Focus Areas

The fellowship supports research related to:

• Violence against women and girls (VAWG)
• VAWG prevention
• Evidence-based policy
• Online harms
• Technology-facilitated violence
• Digital safety
• Youth violence prevention
• Public policy research
• Applied social research
• Research translation
• National surveys
• Prevention interventions
• Evidence synthesis
• Innovation in public services

Objectives of the Fellowship

The programme aims to:

• Generate high-quality evidence on preventing VAWG.
• Improve public policies and prevention strategies.
• Strengthen collaboration between researchers and policymakers.
• Expand understanding of technology-facilitated abuse.
• Improve national evidence systems.
• Support effective interventions through rigorous research.
• Build long-term research capacity within the What Works network.

Fellowship Responsibilities

Successful fellows will:

• Lead an evidence-based research project.
• Work closely with their host What Works Centre.
• Collaborate with government departments and sector partners.
• Support the design and implementation of national surveys.
• Review existing prevention practices and interventions.
• Contribute to evidence reviews and knowledge synthesis.
• Participate in collaborative activities with:
  • Other fellows
  • UKRI
  • Cabinet Office
  • National partners

Who is Eligible?

Applicants must:

• Be based at a UK employing organisation eligible for UKRI funding.
• Hold a PhD or demonstrate equivalent research experience.
• Possess relevant subject expertise or strong methodological expertise.
• Be able to undertake an 18-month fellowship.
• Collaborate with the assigned What Works Centre.
• Submit a competitive fellowship proposal.

Researchers at all career stages are encouraged to apply.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Research excellence.
• Strong analytical skills.
• A clear vision for the fellowship.
• Experience in applied or policy-relevant research.
• Ability to collaborate across multiple sectors.
• Capacity to co-design research with the host centre.
• Commitment to producing practical research outcomes.

How the Fellowship Works

The fellowship follows several stages:

Step 1: Develop a Research Proposal

Design an evidence-based project addressing violence against women and girls.

Step 2: Co-Design with the Host Centre

Work collaboratively with the assigned What Works Centre to refine the fellowship project.

Step 3: Submit the Application

Prepare and submit the required application materials through the UKRI process.

Step 4: Fellowship Delivery

Successful applicants undertake an 18-month research programme while working closely with policymakers and practitioners.

Step 5: Generate Impact

Research findings contribute to national policy development, evidence reviews, and practical interventions.

Application Requirements

Applicants are expected to provide:

• Fellowship application
• Research proposal
• Vision statement
• Description of relevant expertise
• Evidence of research capability
• Approach to collaboration and co-design
• Information required by UKRI and the host organisation

Selection Criteria

Applications are generally assessed on:

• Research quality
• Innovation
• Potential policy impact
• Applicant capability
• Subject expertise
• Methodological strength
• Collaboration approach
• Quality of the proposed fellowship
• Alignment with programme priorities

Why This Fellowship Matters

Violence against women and girls remains a significant public policy challenge.

This fellowship helps:

• Produce evidence that informs national policy.
• Improve prevention strategies.
• Address emerging online safety challenges.
• Strengthen collaboration between research and government.
• Build a stronger evidence base for future interventions.
• Improve outcomes for women, girls, and young people across the UK.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly define the policy problem your research addresses.
• Demonstrate the practical impact of your proposed work.
• Show experience in applied or collaborative research.
• Highlight expertise relevant to VAWG or research methods.
• Explain how you will work with the host What Works Centre.
• Present realistic objectives and measurable outcomes.
• Emphasize knowledge exchange and policy relevance.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Proposing research without clear practical impact.
• Failing to demonstrate collaboration with the host centre.
• Providing vague research objectives.
• Ignoring the programme’s focus on evidence generation.
• Weak methodological design.
• Limited explanation of policy relevance.
• Incomplete application materials.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the UKRI What Works Innovation Fellowship?

Researchers based at UK organisations eligible for UKRI funding who hold a PhD or equivalent research experience.

How long is the fellowship?

The fellowship runs for 18 months.

What research topics are supported?

Projects focused on preventing or reducing violence against women and girls, particularly online harms and technology-facilitated violence affecting young people.

Do applicants need a PhD?

Yes. Applicants should hold a PhD or demonstrate equivalent research experience.

Can early-career researchers apply?

Yes. Researchers at all career stages are eligible, provided they meet the programme requirements.

What is the role of the host What Works Centre?

The host centre supports fellows through collaboration, co-design, research delivery, and knowledge exchange to maximize policy impact.

What outcomes does the fellowship aim to achieve?

The fellowship seeks to generate rigorous evidence that informs public policy, improves prevention strategies, strengthens national surveys, and supports effective interventions to reduce violence against women and girls.

Conclusion

The UKRI What Works Innovation Fellowship offers researchers an opportunity to contribute directly to the UK’s efforts to prevent violence against women and girls through high-impact, evidence-based research. By combining academic expertise with collaboration across government, What Works Centres, and sector partners, the fellowship aims to produce practical solutions that strengthen policy, improve prevention strategies, and create safer communities across the United Kingdom.