Turning evidence into real-world change for people affected by dementia
Thanks to the support of Dementia Research UK, the Dementia Trust is launching a new and ambitious Impact Accelerator Award programme. The Dementia Trust Impact Accelerator Award is designed to help proven ideas go further, faster.
WHAT IS THE IMPACT ACCELERATOR AWARD?
The Impact Accelerator Award (IAA) programme supports projects that already have a strong evidence based project and are ready to scale, embed or influence wider policy, practice or service delivery. The focus is on tangible, measurable improvements to the lives of people living with dementia and their carers, not research for research’s sake.
Through the IAA, the Dementia Trust brings together academic insight, lived experience, and delivery expertise to accelerate what works, strengthen impact, and support long-term sustainability.
the IMPACT ACCELERATOR AWARD AT A GLANCE
One Impact Accelerator Award of up to £45,000.
FUNDING LEVEL
Projects will typically last between 12 and
18 months.
PROJECT TIMEFRAME
Expression of Interest must be submitted by 10th April 2026.
KEY DATES
What the Impact Accelerator Award supports:
Projects may focus on improvements in services, environments, daily living, health, wellbeing, technology, or quality of life. They may operate in the public, private or third sector, and at local, regional, national or international level.
While academic involvement is encouraged to strengthen evidence and evaluation, non-academic organisations may lead applications where they are best placed to deliver change.
The IAA funds projects that can demonstrate:
Clear evidence that the approach works or shows strong promise
A credible plan to turn that evidence into real-world impact
Meaningful benefits for people living with dementia and/or their carers
The potential to influence wider systems, policy or practice
WHAT MAKES THE IMPACT ACCELERATOR AWARD DIFFERENT?
The Impact Accelerator Award sits between research and large-scale funding.
It is specifically designed to:
Bridge the gap
between evidence and
implementation
Support
collaboration
across sectors
Fund activity that
accelerates adoption,
scaling or influence
Prioritise measurable
impact rather than
outputs alone
Successful projects will be able to show how the funding will lead to demonstrable change, and how that change will be measured over time.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Step 1: Statement of Interest
Applicants submit a short statement (up to 500 words) outlining:
The idea and its aims
The evidence underpinning the approach
How people affected by dementia will benefit
How impact will be measured
The application process is staged and proportionate, designed to support strong ideas without unnecessary burden.
Step 2: Shortlisting and applicant webinar
Around three proposals will be shortlisted. Shortlisted teams will be invited to a webinar with the Dementia Trust to clarify expectations, ask questions and refine proposals.
Step 3: Full application
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a full application, including:
A lay summary suitable for a general audience
Clear aims, outcomes and expected impact
Evidence and credibility of the proposed work
A pathway to impact, including evaluation and timelines
A detailed work plan and budget
Final funding decisions will be made in May 2026, with projects starting from June–July 2026.
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Applications must involve at least one non-academic partner, such as a charity, community organisation, health or social care provider, public body or business. Academic partners may be included and are encouraged where they add value but are not required to lead.
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No. Projects may operate locally, nationally or internationally, provided they can demonstrate clear benefit for people affected by dementia and alignment with the Dementia Trust’s mission.
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No. The Impact Accelerator Award is not intended to fund early-stage or exploratory research. It supports work that builds on existing evidence and focuses on implementation, scaling or influence.
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Applicants should be able to demonstrate that their approach is evidence informed. This might include prior research, evaluation data, pilot results, or credible practice-based evidence. The key question is whether the proposal can reasonably beexpected to lead to measurable impact.
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Very important. Successful applications will clearly explain how impact will be measured, analysed and demonstrated. This does not need to be complex, but it must be credible and proportionate.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Applications must involve at least one non-academic partner, such as a charity, community organisation, health or social care provider, public body or business. Academic partners may be included and are encouraged where they add value but are not required to lead.
-
No. Projects may operate locally, nationally or internationally, provided they can demonstrate clear benefit for people affected by dementia and alignment with the Dementia Trust’s mission.
-
No. The Impact Accelerator Award is not intended to fund early-stage or exploratory research. It supports work that builds on existing evidence and focuses on implementation, scaling or influence.
-
Applicants should be able to demonstrate that their approach is evidence informed. This might include prior research, evaluation data, pilot results, or credible practice-based evidence. The key question is whether the proposal can reasonably beexpected to lead to measurable impact.
-
Very important. Successful applications will clearly explain how impact will be measured, analysed and demonstrated. This does not need to be complex, but it must be credible and proportionate.
-
Yes. We welcome applications from new partners whose work aligns with our aims and values.
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Applicants should submit a detailed, fully justified budget covering the direct costs of delivering the project. Guidance will be provided as part of the full application stage.
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For 2026, the Trust will fund one Impact Accelerator Award. We hope to increase the number of awards in future years as resources grow.
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Applications are expected to open 9th March 2026, with statements of interest due by 10th April 2026.
-
Yes. We welcome applications from new partners whose work aligns with our aims and values.
-
Applicants should submit a detailed, fully justified budget covering the direct costs of delivering the project. Guidance will be provided as part of the full application stage.
-
For 2026, the Trust will fund one Impact Accelerator Award. We hope to increase the number of awards in future years as resources grow.
-
Applications are expected to open 9th March 2026, with statements of interest due by 10th April 2026.
INTERESTED IN ApplyING for a 2026 IMPACT ACCELERATOR AWARD?
To assist any potential applicants and those interested in applying for the Impact Accelerator Awards Programme, the Dementia Trust will be hosting 2 online sessions to support questions and share more information about the Awards.
Please register for 1 of these sessions if you intend to submit an Expression of Interest Form.
Please download and complete the Expression of Interest Form and return no later than 10th April 2026.
NEXT STEPS
Programme Funding
The Impact Accelerator Awards Programme is made possible thanks to the support of Dementia Research UK. Dementia Research UK is a grant-making charity established in 2012. Their objective is to support research into the nature, causes, diagnosis, prevention, treatment and care of all forms of dementia, as well as research into the support and services that people with dementia need.
Dementia Research UK is a grant-making charity, raising funds for research projects across the dementia community in all regions of the UK. Their funding helps to deliver services and support directly to those living with dementia.
