---
title: "CSP250477 - UKRI Policy Fellowships Training and Mentoring Programme"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05f0fb"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05f0fb"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f0fb.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f0fb.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UKRI"
published: "2026-03-06"
---

# CSP250477 - UKRI Policy Fellowships Training and Mentoring Programme

Buyer: UKRI  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05f0fb

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## Summary

The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has completed its award process for the Policy Fellowships Training and Mentoring Programme, aiming to advance public policy fellows' careers in central and devolved government roles. This initiative is segmented into two lots: Lot 1 for training services, awarded to the Institute for Government, and Lot 2 for mentoring services, awarded to Zinc Ventures Limited. Both lots are scheduled to commence in February 2026 and will run until March 2030, with delivery chiefly within the United Kingdom. This procurement follows an open procedure method and is classified under the education, training, and coaching services industry, encouraging the cultural transition into government for participating fellows. Bidders were required to submit their proposals via the Jaggaer eSourcing Portal, adhering to key deadlines set for January 2026.

This programme presents significant business growth opportunities for organisations offering specialised training and mentoring services, particularly those adept at fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration and networking in policy-making environments. The programme seeks to build strong alumni networks, making it ideal for SMEs capable of delivering nuanced educational and coaching solutions tailored to policy fellows' diverse disciplines and career stages. The involvement of entities like the ESRC and UKRI underscores the importance of integrating expertise from various sectors, opening doors for participants to enhance their market footprint while contributing to public service developments. Bidders had the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to offer inclusive, experiential learning experiences, a valuable proposition for businesses keen on enhancing their impact within the government sector.

## Notice

The final date and time for the submission of bids is Wednesday 14th January 2026 at 11:00hrs DO NOT apply directly to the buyer. All tender information MUST be submitted through the Jaggaer eSourcing Portal. Overview of Training and Mentoring Programme We are inviting bidders to set out an approach to deliver a Training and Mentoring programme for three cohorts of UKRI Policy Fellows. The programme will begin in February 2026 for the 2025 cohort of fellows. Aims and Objectives of Training and Mentoring Programme The core aims and objectives of the training and mentoring are to: * Prepare Fellows for the cultural transition into government * Advance fellows in their careers * Foster networks and cross-working * Tailor support to different disciplines and career stages * Create a lasting alumni legacy To meet the aims as set out above, bidders should address the following objectives: * Offer a series of themed and focused learning sessions spanning each individual cohort. Bidders should ensure the time commitment is manageable for fellows and provide dates and times in advance. * The sessions should be inclusive, with at least two face-to-face meetings over the cohort. Any face-to-face sessions will be based in the UK, and the successful supplier should determine location once cohort members have been recruited, taking an inclusive approach to location and venue. * Encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration, peer support and opportunities to strengthen relationship building. * Actively design opportunities for fellows to build networks, identify synergies across fellowships, and support collaboration both among fellows and between host departments * Ensure longevity of benefit to participants beyond the duration of the programme itself. * Work closely with ESRC, providing regular (minimum monthly to start with) progress reviews via email, phone, or video conferencing in advance of and after each event/deliverable. This requirement is split into 2 Lots and 1 supplier be awarded for each: Lot 1 - Training The focus areas of this training programme are likely to include the following topics, but will not be limited to: * Policy making in the UK, actors, structure, cycles, streams * Networking and building relationships in policy * Communication training for policy, including writing and briefing * Supporting evidence use in government * Knowledge Exchange (KE) and science for policy in UK and international * Equality Diversity Inclusion (EDI) in KE * Wellbeing and mental health considerations during a fellowship * Developing effective impact case studies and using impact to support career progression * Data; Access, Use, Ethics and AI Lot 2 - Mentoring In addition to complimenting the areas of focus covered by the training programme, the mentoring programme could focus on (but not be limited to) the following activities: * Identifying and building on fellows' unique strengths and experiences * Creating and implementing individual development plans * Identifying potential career pathways * Agreeing individual outcomes and personal milestones * Supporting fellows to grow relevant contacts and networks * Develop specific plans for communicating their research effectively to policy audiences Single bidders are welcome to submit proposals to deliver both lots (Training and Mentoring), or to submit proposals for just Lot 1 (Training) or Lot 2 (Mentoring). Please ensure you review all attached information to ensure a full understanding of this requirement. All attachments can be found with the Supplier Attachments tab within the Jaggaer eSourcing Portal. The contract(s) will be awarded based on the evaluation criteria as set out in the RFP document. How to Apply UK Shared Business Services Ltd (UKSBS) will be using the Jaggaer eSourcing Portal for this procurement. To register on the Jaggaer eSourcing portal please use the link https://beisgroup.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/ and follow the instructions to register as a supplier. If you are already registered on the Jaggaer eSourcing Portal and wish to participate in this procurement, please use the link: https://beisgroup.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/. Once you are logged into the system you will be able to locate the Procurement you wish to leave a bid on by clicking the ITTs Open to All Suppliers and searching for the reference number CSP250477 and Jaggaer ITT reference number ITT_2407.

### Lot Information

Training

Lot 1 Training Group training sessions offered to the whole cohort (circa 40 fellows) each year will enable the fellows to acquire knowledge and insights that will support their fellowships, increase impact, and support future career development. Two sessions must be delivered in person (at a minimum) to allow for networking and encourage the cohort approach. Where bidders suggest more in person sessions, they will need to demonstrate how they have considered the impact on accessibility given that fellows are based across the UK. The focus areas of this training programme are likely to include the following topics, but will not be limited to: * Policy making in the UK, actors, structure, cycles, streams * Networking and building relationships in policy * Communication training for policy, including writing and briefing * Supporting evidence use in government * Knowledge Exchange (KE) and science for policy in UK and international * Equality Diversity Inclusion (EDI) in KE * Wellbeing and mental health considerations during a fellowship * Developing effective impact case studies and using impact to support career progression * Data; Access, Use, Ethics and AI The training provider should demonstrate how the designed programme has been tailored to the phases of the fellowship. The provider will design and deliver sessions as well as coordinate with other parties delivering training, such as government bodies (e.g. POST, GoS, etc.) and UKRI investments (e.g. UKRI Policy Fellowship Alumni, ECO, METIUS). The training should be designed to support fellows during their fellowship in central and devolved government roles, and What Works Evidence Networks, and help develop policy engagement skills that will support their future career development. Training should take place as a combination of in person and virtual. Activities should be context-driven and offer experiential learning opportunities through a variety of interactive formats and session types.

Mentoring

Lot 2 Mentoring In addition to complimenting the areas of focus covered by the training programme, the mentoring programme could focus on (but not be limited to) the following activities: * Identifying and building on fellows' unique strengths and experiences * Creating and implementing individual development plans * Identifying potential career pathways * Agreeing individual outcomes and personal milestones * Supporting fellows to grow relevant contacts and networks * Develop specific plans for communicating their research effectively to policy audiences Mentoring will support and compliment the training programme (see above), accelerating the personal and professional development of mentees, providing tailored support to increasing their impact during the fellowship, but also informing their future career development. UKRI has strong ambitions for participants in its fellowship schemes and sees effective mentoring to support academics for key leadership roles in public policy e.g. chief scientific advisors. The mentoring provided is expected to draw from the full range of expertise and experience of key stakeholders (e.g. Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, Government Office for Science, academic networks and ESRC/UKRI investments with expertise in Knowledge Exchange, policy engagement and evidence synthesis) and other relevant experts. Mentoring support will be tailored to meet the specific requirements of each individual fellow. UKRI is looking for bidders to offer mentoring opportunities to all fellows and therefore this will not be limited to those with "unique development potential". We would like bidders to suggest the number of hours/sessions/format that they feel would be suitable for the mentoring program noting that some form of the mentoring opportunity should be accessible to all UKRI Policy Fellows.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020281-2026 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 6 Mar 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 14 Jan 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 28 Jan 2026 |
| Contract period | 23 Mar 2026 - 29 Mar 2030 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £360,000 |
| Lots value | £360,000 |
| Awards value | £358,524 |
| Contracts value | £358,524 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UKRI |
| Additional buyers | UK SHARED BUSINESS SERVICES LTD |
| Locality | SWINDON |
| Post town | Swindon |
| Postcode | SN2 1FL |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire |
| ITL 3 | TLK71 Swindon |
| Local authority | Swindon |
| Electoral ward | Rodbourne Cheney |
| Westminster constituency | Swindon North |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 2 |
| Supplier names | INSTITUTE FOR GOVERNMENT; ZINC VENTURES |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
- 80 - Education and training services

### Codes

- 79998000 - Coaching services
- 80000000 - Education and training services

## Release History

- 6 Mar 2026 at 11:02 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020281-2026
- 28 Jan 2026 at 11:40 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007515-2026
- 8 Dec 2025 at 15:29 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080714-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020281-2026
  6th March 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007515-2026
  28th January 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080714-2025
  8th December 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-8832
  RFP
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-8833
  RFPQ
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-8834
  AW5.2 Price Schedule Lot 1
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-8835
  AW5.2 Price Schedule Lot 2
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-8836
  Contract Terms and Conditions

## Notice URLs

- http://www.uksbs.co.uk
- https://beisgroup.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

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