IBM Impact Accelerator
About the application
IBM invites proposals from organizations working to expand access to learning and workforce development opportunities. We seek AI-driven initiatives that help students, educators, and workers succeed by strengthening education, defining career pathways, or building more resilient workforce systems.
Nonprofit organizations and government entities, including academic institutions are encouraged to submit proposals that could benefit from IBM’s technology, expertise, and collaborative support.
IBM watsonx
Explore more
IBM Granite
Explore more
IBM Cloud
Explore more
Data science tools and solutions
Explore more
IBM Consulting
Explore more
IBM Garage
Explore more
IBM Quantum Platform
Explore more
Project examples
The IBM Impact Accelerator is looking to collaborate with organizations developing practical, human-centered solutions. Technology may play a role, but impact is the core. Ideas might include, but are not limited to:
Our differentiators
The IBM Impact Accelerator is designed to support communities facing economic and environmental challenges by tackling a new topic and cohort of organizations each year.
Proposal guidance
Access the resources below to help support and shape your strongest application and take part in this shared effort to improve learning and opportunity.
Frequently asked questions
Ideas that help people learn more effectively, transition into meaningful work, or navigate evolving career paths. This may include AI-powered teaching tools, career navigation platforms, workforce dashboards, lifelong learner assistants, or innovations that make learning more personalized, accessible and connected to real opportunities.
Proposals may also include AI models that can be used to create assessments and educational roadmaps or tools in areas of bleeding-edge technology, such as quantum.
Not required, but strongly encouraged, especially solutions that use AI responsibly to expand opportunity and strengthen learning systems.
Yes. Organizations from any region may apply.
All proposals must be submitted through the official portal by Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
The IBM Impact Accelerator team will reach out to finalists later in the spring of 2026.
IBM believes that science, technology and innovation can help tackle economic and environmental stress while helping communities to address societal needs. By uniting experts and technology, IBM wanted to find a way to scale and speed up solutions that support communities.
The IBM Impact Accelerator has had 25 engagements, each with a different nonprofit or government organization, divided into five cohorts: sustainable agriculture, clean energy, water management, resilient cities and supply chains.
IBM selects five organizations each year—forming a cohort—to focus on addressing a specific issue area. The selection process includes a public RFP open to any nonprofit, academic, or government organization. Proposals are reviewed and evaluated for feasibility and impact, and vetted through standard IBM compliance processes. The selection process includes input from IBM experts across disciplines such as IBM Consulting, IBM Research, IBM Software and IBM Corporate Social Responsibility. The selection criteria will consider applicants’ level of support to communities, the feasibility and sustainability of proposed technology solutions, and applicants’ transparency in measurement and reporting, among other considerations.
IBM collaborates with organizations to design, develop and deploy technical solutions directly benefiting communities. Throughout the experience, IBM provides access to platforms such as IBM watsonx and Granite AI models, IBM Cloud, IBM Quantum Platform and Red Hat open source technologies as well as technical mentorship to build long-term capacity. Organizations selected to participate must enter into an IBM grant agreement governing access to IBM technology, services and resources.