Tender: UKRI Policy Fellows Training and Mentoring Programme – Delivery of Training (Lot 1) & Mentoring (Lot 2) for Three Cohorts (from Feb 2026)

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UK Shared Business Services Ltd (UKSBS) is seeking a supplier to deliver a Training and Mentoring programme for three cohorts of UKRI Policy Fellows, beginning February 2026 for the 2025 cohort. The programme must prepare fellows for the cultural transition into government, advance their careers, foster cross-disciplinary networks, tailor support to different disciplines and career stages, and create a lasting alumni legacy. Bidders should propose themed, focused learning sessions with manageable time commitments and advance scheduling, include at least two UK-based face-to-face meetings per cohort, encourage peer support and relationship building, design opportunities for fellows to identify synergies and collaborate with host departments, and ensure benefits persist beyond the programme. The requirement is split into Lot 1 (Training) — covering topics such as UK policy making, networking, policy communication and briefing, evidence use in government, knowledge exchange, EDI, wellbeing, impact case studies, and data (access, use, ethics and AI) — and Lot 2 (Mentoring) — focusing on individual development plans, career-pathway support, agreed outcomes and milestones, network development, and plans for communicating research to policy audiences. Single bidders may submit proposals for one or both lots and contracts will be awarded according to the RFP evaluation criteria. Final bid submission is Wednesday 14 January 2026 at 11:00hrs.