Resource
IGL Impact Accelerator 2026
2 February 2026
The Impact Accelerator has been designed to empower teams with the knowledge and tools to use experimentation to enhance programme impact.
Working on an existing or in-development programme, participants will learn and practice the key elements of experimental policymaking through targeted workshops and personalised support.
The Impact Accelerator will explore how to identify and fill key knowledge gaps early, design clear paths to impact, and generate meaningful insights that inform the development of the programme along the way. Sessions include analysing policy design, developing a theory of change, establishing a robust data collection and analysis strategy, developing a meaningful pilot and designing a randomised experiment.
This will be our third edition of the Accelerator for IGL members. A total of 10 teams from across IGL members have previously participated.
“It has definitely helped shape our openness to experimentation levels and ability to create more effective interventions using the theories we learned about.”
“Our overall engagement with IGL has been brilliant – the team have been incredibly helpful and are always willing to support/give up their time to help us. The workshops were great – was good to use the learning on our practical example.”
“It has brought a much more considered approach via the frameworks you demonstrated that will enable our work to be taken more seriously within this public sector environment”
Who is it for?
We are looking for ambitious teams involved in the design and delivery of innovation, business, and entrepreneurship support.
While this service is usually reserved for IGL members, we have now opened applications from external agencies (e.g. Ministries, Innovation Agencies, Regional Development Bodies). If you are considering joining the IGL network, this is the perfect introduction to our methodology.
We recommend applying as a team of 2–3 people responsible for a specific policy intervention. This typically includes those who are facing decisions about how to design new initiatives, responsible for taking decisions about how to implement support or tasked with developing evaluations.
Past participant projects have included:
- Removing Barriers: Redesigning application processes to increase uptake and reach new innovators.
- Reducing Bias: Testing partial randomisation (lotteries) to allocate small grants more fairly and efficiently.
- Optimising Delivery: Comparing different intensities of SME support (e.g. information vs. coaching) to see what drives tech adoption.
Details of Impact Accelerator 2026 – How to apply
Join the 2026 Cohort
Key details:
- Dates: 25 March – 10 June 2026.
- Format: Online Workshops + Personalised Coaching.
- Expression of Interest Deadline: 5 March 2026.
- Application Deadline: 13 March 2026.
- Cost: Free to IGL Members, £3500 per participant team for non IGL-Members
For further details on the schedule, curriculum, and participation fees for non-members, please access the full information pack.