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Turn your ambition into impact

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The research, training and funding are ready. The world's biggest problems are waiting for just one thing: someone ambitious enough to solve them.

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February 2027

Transforming factory farming

Applications to participate have closed.

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August 2027

Health systems strengthening + Livelihoods and economic growth

Join us! Applications open in January 2027.

Express your interest

Common Questions

  • No. Many successful founders came from consulting, industry, tech, or other fields with no prior nonprofit or domain experience. The program teaches you everything you need. That being said, relevant experience helps!

  • We get this question a lot. It does sound too good to be true: the program is not just free, but it pays you to attend and then helps fund the charity you start. It was our now-CEO's first reaction when first learning about us.
    Here’s the situation: We believe starting new, evidence-based charities is one of the most powerful ways to improve the world. Our funders agree. We exist to remove blockers to founders getting these charities started, which is why we (with the help of our funders) provide the training free of charge, provide participants with stipends to cover their living costs, and coordinate a network of independent seed funders to provide your charity with its first year’s operating budget.

  • Primarily online, with two weeks in person in London. Travel is fully covered, with visa support available. Anyone from any country can participate.

  • Around 95% of projects receive $150,000–$190,000 in seed funding, plus ongoing mentorship, operations support, and access to a co-working space in London. People who are talented enough for our program but don’t end up launching their own charity are always in high-demand. As such, they generally move quickly into another high-impact role, sometimes within days, and frequently at another AIM-incubated charity. As a safety net, we provide a further three months of stipend plus career support.

  • No. Our expert research team spends 5,000+ hours a year poring over the evidence to recommend ideas our participants can use as a starting point. You spend the initial phase of the program exploring these ideas to determine where your comparative advantage lies.
    If you do have an idea already: It’s possible to found it through our program, but rare. For us to be excited about your idea, it needs to meet the same standards we hold for our own: strong reasoning and evidence that this is among the most impactful things you could found. If it doesn't, we may still offer you a place working on one of our recommended ideas. If you want the option of bringing your own idea, you must disclose it up front in your application. 

  • You can learn more details on our comprehensive FAQ page here.

The application process

Our application process is the result of years of experience, refined to identify potential for starting a high-impact charity, regardless of background, age, or skill set. No special preparation needed.

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Written application

Multiple-choice questions, two short written answers, and upload your CV.

15–30 minutes

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Test task 1

A framework to compare and contrast your top career options and explore your priorities and tradeoffs.

~3 hours

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Recorded interview

Answer general and situational questions relevant to founding a charity.

~30 minutes

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Test task 2

One to three prompts testing factors that make all the difference when actually founding a charity.

~3 hours

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In-depth interview

A Zoom conversation covering your approach to impact, evidence, and decision-making.

~60 minutes

The entire application process should take no more than 10 hours from start to finish.

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Timeline

Applications open
Aug 3, 2026

Applications close
Sep 13, 2026

Offers for the program
Dec 14, 2026

Core program begins
Feb 1, 2027

  • We will contact you about the outcome of your application, regardless of whether you progressed to the next stage.

  • Your time is valuable. We will only invite you to the next stage if you have a good chance of success.

  • The deadline for all applications, including any extensions, is September 13, 2026.

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Our commitment to equality of opportunity

We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and encourage people with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. We especially welcome applications from people of colour, women, non-binary people and neurodivergent individuals who are motivated to contribute to our mission.

Our application process is blinded wherever possible to help reduce bias. Ambitious Impact is an equal opportunity organisation.

If you need assistance or accommodations due to a disability or have any questions about the application process, please contact us at emma@ambitiousimpact.com