The Impact Accelerator Program FAQ

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About the Program

Q1. Who is ABW?

Analytics for a Better World (ABW) is a non-profit organization that empowers works with and for mission-driven organizations worldwide to use cutting-edge analytics and data science to maximize their social impact. Founded in 2022 by the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and ORTEC, ABW harnesses academic and industry expertise to bridge a crucial gap: while analytics and AI have revolutionized business, their transformative potential for social good remains untapped mainly in the nonprofit sector.

Q2. What is the ABW Impact Accelerator Program?

It’s a 14-week accelerator program designed by ABW to help mission-driven organizations solve impactful challenges using data and analytics, while building their long-term analytics capacity. The ABW Impact Accelerator Program supports mission-driven organizations in leveraging analytics and AI to amplify impact toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Q3. What kind of impact does ABW aim for?

ABW supports nonprofits tackling global challenges in LMICs like healthcare access, climate change, clean water, and plastic pollution, all aligned with the SDGs.

Eligibility and Participation

Q4. Who can apply to the program?

Mission-driven nonprofits working in LMICs that are ready to use data and analytics to address a real-world challenge to advance their mission. Specifically, organizations that:

Are legally established and operating for at least two years
Are mission-driven (nonprofit, social enterprise, public-interest group)
Align with at least one SDG
Have leadership commitment and a multidisciplinary team ready to participate
Present a challenge suitable for analytics or AI solutions

Q5. Can consortiums apply?

Yes! Applicant groups are encouraged to apply. Submit a single application representing the consortium. Include a short document (max 2 pages) outlining:

Why you’re applying together
Names and roles of consortium members
Structure for collaboration and knowledge sharing

Q6. What kind of challenges qualify?

Challenges should be:

Specific and impactful
Mission-aligned
Relevant to the SDGs
Solvable with analytics or AI tools

Q7. What skills are required within the applying organization?

At least two staff members with basic analytics literacy (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Python, R) and a leadership representative willing to support change. We suggest that the team be diverse and multidisciplinary to enhance learning and innovation.

Program Structure and Timeline

Q8. How is the program structured?

Phase 1 (Sept–Dec 2025): Application, selection, onboarding
Phase 2 (Jan–Apr 2026): Solving challenge + capacity strengthening
Phase 3 (Apr 2026): Reflection, learning and sharing of insights
Phase 4 (No time bound): Amplifying impact through case studies, events, and research dissemination

Q9. How long is the program?

Phases 2 and 3: 14 weeks (Jan 19 – Apr 30, 2026)
Phase 4 (storytelling, research, visibility): Open-ended timeline

Q10. What is the time commitment?

~3 hrs/week per team member during Phase 1 – Application and Onboarding
~6-12 hrs/week per team member during Phase 2 – Challenge Delivery, Training
~2.5 hrs/week per team member during Phase 3 – Reflection & Learning
~2 hrs/week per team member post-program for storytelling – Storytelling & Dissemination Activities

Application Process

Q11. How do I apply?

Submit an online application form (opens September 26, 2025). Deadline: October 24, 2025. Early applications are encouraged as the selection will be done on a rolling basis

Q12. What’s required in the application?

Organization profile and mission

SDG alignment
Nature of the challenge and its relevance
Analytics maturity and team skills
Leadership commitment (letter required)
Details about multidisciplinary project team
Equity, diversity, and inclusion strategies
Financial/in-kind contribution (if any)
Plans for sustainability and innovation

Q13. How are applications evaluated?

Applications must first meet eligibility criteria. They are then scored by committee members on:

Challenge relevance and clarity (20%)
Potential for scalable impact (20%)
Analytics maturity and willingness to learn (15%)
Equity, diversity, and inclusion (15%)
Co-investment and sustainability commitment (15%)
Innovation and boldness (15%)

High-scoring applications are prioritized for interviews and selection.

Q14. Would individual organization – collaboration submission make a difference in the selection criteria?

No. Our evaluation criteria do not give preference to consortia over single-organization proposals. What matters most is the potential impact, sustainability, and scalability of the proposed solution.

Costs and Support

Q15. Do organizations have to pay to participate in the ABW Impact Accelerator Program?

While participation in the ABW Impact Accelerator Program is valued at approximately €120,000 per organization, we are committed to making the program inclusive and accessible. We do ask all applicants to indicate whether they can contribute—either financially or in-kind (e.g., providing staff time, access to infrastructure, or internal tools). This helps us prioritize sponsorship support based on need. ABW may offer full or partial sponsorships to selected organizations, which will be determined during the selection process based on a combination of need, commitment, and potential for impact.

Q16. Are sponsorships available to all 5 selected organizations? Are sponsorships applications part of the application process?

Yes. Sponsorship is available in principle for all five selected organizations. Our goal is to select a mix of organizations that together create the most significant collective impact. In the application form, you’ll be asked to indicate whether you can provide in-kind or financial contributions, and whether you require sponsorship (either in-kind and/or financial).

Q17. What does ABW provide?

Technical and expert support
Hands-on analytics tools and training
Access to global networks
Support for long-term sustainability
Storytelling and visibility opportunities

Outcomes and Benefits

Q18. What will my organization gain from participating?

Develop internal analytics skills and systems

Solve a high-impact, mission-aligned challenge using analytics or AI
Access expert mentorship, proven methodologies, and peer learning
Amplify visibility and credibility with donors and partners
Create replicable, scalable solutions and participate in global thought leadership

Q19. Can my organization scale or replicate the solution after the program?

Yes, of course! ABW supports designing solutions that are sustainable and scalable, and may help position them as Digital Public Goods.

Q20. At the end of the process when the challenge is solved with a solution (drives by analytics and AI) – who “owns” that solution and the data?

Ownership will depend on the specific solution developed. In general, we aim for solutions to be open source so they can benefit the broader community. The nonprofit will typically own the solution, but contributors and researchers involved in its development may also have the right to use it. Wherever possible, and within legal and privacy boundaries, we want the outcomes to benefit the wider community, not be restricted by IP limitations.

After the Program

Q21. What happens after the program ends?

Ongoing involvement in peer learning and knowledge sharing
Opportunities for research and publication
Support in creating case studies and storytelling materials
Engagement in ABW’s global events and showcase activities

Q22. Is there a research component?

Yes, optionally. Organizations can co-develop research or case studies with ABW and academic partners to share insights and contribute to field knowledge.