How to become a CSaP Policy Fellow

36 new Policy Fellows are recruited every year

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CSaP welcomes applications for the Policy Fellowship from policy professionals in government, industry, NGOs and the voluntary sector.

The CSaP Policy Fellowship is a flexible professional development programme which starts with five days at the University of Cambridge, meeting with researchers from a wide range of disciplines to discuss questions that you identify as important to you. More information on the programme is available here, along with a list of CSaP Policy Fellows.

Who becomes a CSaP Policy Fellow?

If your job requires you to think about the major issues facing society – privacy, security, risk, sustainability, innovation, resilience, well-being, economic growth, or similar challenges – and your work influences decision-making in your organisation, then you will have questions which we can help you address. Policy Fellows are in public policy roles within civil society, business, and government. In the case of Policy Fellows from business, questions must relate primarily to public policy challenges of core interest to the network.

CSaP is committed to a proactive and inclusive approach, which recognises structural inequalities and promotes an inclusive culture. We actively encourage disabled people and people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds to apply, as these groups are currently under-represented among the Policy Fellowship.

What level is the Fellowship aimed at?

The core Policy Fellowship is designed to meet the needs of senior civil servants, and equivalent senior policy professionals in business and civil society, such as Heads of Strategy, Research Directors, Public Policy Directors, VPs Innovation, CIOs, and MDs.

Junior Policy Fellows are early-career policy professionals pursuing a rapid development path.

Policy Leaders Fellows are admitted to the Fellowship by invitation only, and include Permanent Secretaries, Directors General and CEOs.

When to apply

36 Policy Fellows are elected to the Fellowship each year.

  • for Fellowships starting in January – March, please submit your application by 30 November
  • for Fellowships starting in April – June, please submit your application by 31 January
  • for Fellowships starting in September – November, please submit your application by 30 June
How to apply

Please download and complete the application form which asks for the following information:

  • your reasons for applying to the Fellowship, including an indication of how the knowledge you gain from taking part will be applied to influence public policy
  • the questions you want to explore through the Fellowship
  • your availability for visiting Cambridge to meet researchers
  • the name of a line manager or budget holder who supports your application and can authorise the fee
  • a short biography
  • advertising and equal opportunities monitoring

Please email your completed application form to policyfellows[a]csap.cam.ac.uk with a current CV and profile photo suitable for posting on the CSaP website here. If you would like advice on the questions you want to explore through the Fellowship and your draft application, we suggest you get in touch with policyfellows[a]csap.cam.ac.uk at least one week before the deadline.

How are Policy Fellows elected?

Elections are made by a panel of senior academics and policy professionals. Decisions are made shortly after each deadline date in order to give all applicants a fair opportunity to be considered for the limited number of places available.

Enrolment fees

Fees for the two year Fellowship:

  • £6000+ VAT for Fellows from government, the public sector, or the third sector
  • £12000 + VAT for Fellows from business
What happens next?

If you are elected to the Fellowship, we will send you a proposal for signature and suggest dates for your initial visit. We will ask you to return the signed proposal within two weeks in order to secure your preferred dates, including payment details as required. The enrolment fee is payable before the Fellowship commences.


Please see Policy Fellows FAQs for more information about the Fellowship and the application process.

For an informal discussion please contact:

Erica Pramauro, Policy Fellowships Manager
Email: policyfellows[a]csap.cam.ac.uk