AIM Charity Incubation Program 2027
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Quick Answer
Free two-month program that pays a living stipend, matches you with a co-founder and charity idea, and helps you win seed funding of US$150,000–190,000 (about ₹1.4–1.8 crore). Applications open January 2027.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Ambitious Impact
- Application deadline
- —
- Eligible stage
- Idea
- Location
- International
About this grant
Applications for the August 2027 Ambitious Impact (AIM) Incubation Program are not open yet. Ambitious Impact, the organisation behind Charity Entrepreneurship, says applications for the August 2027 program open in January 2027, and it does not give an exact day. The previous round, for the February 2027 program, took applications from 3 August to 13 September 2026 and is closed. The program is free, pays you a living stipend and helps you raise seed funding of around US$150,000 to US$190,000 (about ₹1.4 crore to ₹1.8 crore) for the charity you launch.
What the program offers
The Incubation Program is a full-time program that takes you from having no charity idea to launching a new, evidence-backed charity. AIM's research team spends more than 5,000 hours a year identifying charity ideas, so you do not need to bring your own. During the program you choose an idea and are matched with a co-founder, and you get training and mentoring.
There are no fees. AIM pays a stipend to cover your living costs; it says most past participants have taken US$2,000 to US$5,000 a month based on need, and the page does not give a fixed amount. It also covers travel and accommodation for the in-person weeks in London and helps with visas.
At the end you submit a funding proposal to AIM's seed network of more than 50 independent funders. AIM says around 95 percent of the proposals it recommends get funded, with grants of US$150,000 to US$190,000 that typically cover the first year of operations or more. That is a seed grant, so it is not a loan and not equity. Funding is not guaranteed. If you do not launch a charity, you get a further three months of stipend and career support.
Who can apply
Anyone from any country can apply, so Indian founders are eligible. AIM says living in the Global South is often an advantage because many of its charities work there. You do not need nonprofit experience, a particular degree, or your own idea. Experienced NGO founders are welcome too; AIM says existing organisations are accepted only if referred by AIM staff, alumni or mentors.
The program is demanding: it runs full time, five days a week and eight hours a day, for about two months, so you must be able to step away from other work. It suits people who want to found a charity and are ready to commit to it. It is not a fit if you want to keep a job alongside the program. If you want to bring your own charity idea, you must say so in your application, and it must meet the same evidence bar as AIM's ideas.
How to apply
Start by using the Express your interest link on the Start a charity page so you hear when the January 2027 window opens. The application then has five steps. First is a written application of 15 to 30 minutes with multiple-choice questions, two short written answers and your CV. Then comes a first test task of about three hours, a recorded interview of about 30 minutes, a second test task of about three hours, and an in-depth Zoom interview of about 60 minutes.
AIM says the whole process should take no more than 10 hours. Applications are blinded where possible to reduce bias, and AIM tells every applicant the outcome whether or not they move forward.
How applications are judged and what happens next
AIM invites candidates to each next step as they succeed at the previous one. For the 2026-27 round the page shows offers going out on 14 December 2026 for a program starting on 1 February 2027; the August 2027 dates have not been published. Inside the program, founders and AIM agree on co-founder pairs and charity ideas, and the seed network decides which charities receive funding.
About Ambitious Impact
Ambitious Impact (AIM) is a charity registered in England and Wales, operating under the legal name Charity Entrepreneurship. It runs research, training and funding programs to start new charities that use evidence to improve the world. Its funders have included Founders Pledge, Coefficient Giving and GiveWell.
Things to check before you apply
- Applications are not open yet, and the exact opening day in January 2027 is not given.
- The August 2027 program focuses on health systems strengthening and on livelihoods and economic growth, so check that these areas interest you.
- The in-person part is in London; travel is covered and visa support is available.
- The stipend amount is set by need, not fixed, so be ready to discuss it.
- A practical tip: block time for the test tasks, which take about three hours each.
Eligibility
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Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
Benefits & Funding
- Fund type
- Grant
- Repayment
- Non-repayable
What You Get
During the program AIM pays a stipend to cover your living costs, plus tuition, travel and accommodation for the in-person weeks in London; historically most participants took US$2,000–5,000 a month. At the end you submit a funding proposal to AIM's seed network of more than 50 independent donors. Around 95% of AIM-incubated projects receive seed funding, with recent seed grants of US$150,000–190,000 (about ₹1.4 crore to ₹1.8 crore). Funded charities also get ongoing mentorship, operations support and co-working space in London. Participants who don't launch get three more months of stipend and career support.
- Duration
- 2 months
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
AIM runs a multi-step process, blinded where possible: a written application, two test tasks, a recorded interview and an in-depth interview. Candidates are invited to each next step only if they have a good chance of success. During the program, founders and AIM agree on co-founder pairs and charity ideas, and the seed network of independent funders decides which charities receive seed funding.
Application Process
- 1
Written application
Multiple-choice questions, two short answers and your CV.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the AIM Charity Incubation Program open now?
No. Applications for the August 2027 program open in January 2027, and the page does not give an exact day. The previous round took applications from 3 August to 13 September 2026 and is closed.
Can Indian founders apply to the AIM Incubation Program?
Yes. AIM says people from any country can apply and that being from the Global South is often an advantage. The program is mostly online, with two weeks in person in London, and AIM covers travel and helps with visas.
How much funding does the program give?
AIM says around 95 percent of projects receive seed funding of US$150,000 to US$190,000 (about ₹1.4 crore to ₹1.8 crore) from its network of independent funders. This typically covers the first year of operations or more. Funding is not guaranteed.
Is the program free, and do participants get paid?
Yes, there are no fees. AIM pays a stipend to cover living costs and covers travel and accommodation for the in-person weeks. It says most past participants took US$2,000 to US$5,000 a month based on need.
Is the seed money a grant or equity?
The page calls it seed funding from a network of independent funders who back new charities. It does not describe it as a loan or equity, and the charity you start is a nonprofit.
Do I need my own charity idea?
No. AIM's research team recommends evidence-backed ideas and you choose one during the program. You can bring your own, but it must meet the same standards and you must say so in your application.
What do I need to submit, and how long does applying take?
You submit a written application with your CV, then complete two test tasks and two interviews. AIM says the whole process should take no more than 10 hours.
Do I have to travel?
The program is mostly online, with two weeks in person at AIM's London office. AIM covers travel and accommodation for those weeks and offers visa support.
Can I keep my job during the program?
AIM says the program is full time, five days a week and eight hours a day, and that past participants have quit their jobs or taken leave. The stipend is meant to make that possible.
When will I hear the result?
AIM contacts every applicant about their outcome. For the 2026-27 round the page shows offers on 14 December 2026; dates for the August 2027 round are not published yet.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
