The next cohort begins on 24 September 2026 and offers two distinct programmes. One helps you build credible professional experience. The other helps you decide whether a business opportunity is worth pursuing.
For people changing direction, returning to work or ready to turn an area of interest into recent, relevant experience.
For aspiring founders and early builders who need better evidence before investing more time, money or energy.
Potential is difficult to point to. Finished work is not.
Move from an early proposition to something tested, credible and ready to grow.
Produce research, reports or analysis that others can reference and build upon.
Turn a problem into a working product, prototype, tool or public resource.
Show that you can define a challenge, make decisions and deliver a meaningful outcome.
Support is practical, selective and matched to the project. You receive what helps the work move, not a catalogue of services you do not need.
Define the problem, audience, principal output and a realistic measure of success.
Receive scheduled feedback from people with relevant research, product or professional experience.
Use selected templates, tools and technical or research guidance where relevant.
Improve the positioning, presentation and public story around the project.
Share work with a focused group that can question, encourage and sharpen it.
Create a fellow profile, project record and final presentation that show what you can do.
Practise setting direction, making evidence-led decisions, communicating clearly and responding constructively to challenge.
Use focused 1:1 conversations to examine a live goal, decision or leadership challenge and turn insight into action.
RIL provides guidance, review, resources and selected practical assistance. Fellows retain ownership of and responsibility for—their projects.
You are not choosing a course or a label. You are choosing the kind of progress you want a focused cycle to produce.
Test whether a real problem, audience and proposition belong together.
Possible proof: validated proposition · launch planTurn a need into something people can see, try and respond to.
Possible proof: MVP · prototype · open-source toolInvestigate a consequential question and communicate the evidence clearly.
Possible proof: paper · dataset · evidence reviewFrame a public problem and develop a credible route towards change.
Possible proof: policy brief · public report · proposalLead a substantial initiative that demonstrates judgement and influence.
Possible proof: strategic initiative · professional portfolioSuccess looks different for each fellow. What does not change is the expectation that you complete one substantial output and create a clear public record of the work.
You are not expected to complete everything listed here. You select one principal output, supported by a project record, presentation and public profile.
Enough structure to create momentum without forcing every project through the same curriculum. Flexible project work sits within a clear, shared rhythm.
Define the work. Investigate the problem. Build the strongest direction. Release it for other people.
Clarify the problem · choose the output · define success
Fellowship brief · project definition · roadmap
Research · speak to people · test assumptions
Evidence base · refined proposition · initial concept
Write · design · develop · test · improve
Working draft · prototype · project evidence
Review · edit · test · present · publish
Principal output · project page · next-stage plan
Every week turns a large ambition into a clear commitment, protected work and useful feedback.
RIL provides the structure and the room. You make the decisions and own the work.
Choose the next decision, experiment or piece of work that will genuinely move the project.
Research, write, design, build or test during focused independent project time.
Use live sessions, peer challenge and scheduled reviews to expose weak thinking early.
Record the evidence, make the next commitment and keep momentum visible.
The projects are important. The people are often more important.
Many fellowships are remembered not for the curriculum, but for the relationships they create.
Fellows work alongside founders, researchers, developers, designers and emerging leaders who are all committed to moving meaningful work forward.
A conversation during the Fellowship can become…
The Fellowship culminates in a release. The relationships and opportunities can continue long after it.
You do not need a polished proposal or the title “innovator.” You need a meaningful starting point and the willingness to develop it seriously.
Applications are assessed for seriousness, project suitability, ability to commit and the contribution an applicant can make to the working group.
Apply directly and, if accepted, join the next suitable working group.
Co-founders, research collaborators and small project teams may apply together.
Employers, universities and partner organisations may sponsor individual fellows.
Institutions may discuss a focused or regional Fellowship group with RIL.
Apply at any time. Accepted applicants begin with the next suitable working group, subject to capacity and project fit.
No. Fellows may work on products, research, policy, community initiatives, professional projects or new ventures.
No. You need a question, problem or possibility that you are willing to develop seriously.
Yes. Applications may be submitted throughout the year. Successful applicants begin with the next suitable working group, subject to capacity.
Yes. Small teams and collaborators may apply together. Each application should make the shared project and individual commitments clear.
The Fellowship is remote first, with live sessions and independent work. Plan for approximately 8–10 hours each week during the programme; the overall duration is matched to the project and Fellowship format.
RIL provides direction, review and selected research, product, software, AI or communication support where relevant. Availability depends on the project and Fellowship format; RIL does not build the project for you.
Fellows who complete the requirements receive formal digital recognition. The Fellowship is not a job-placement programme; its main value is the work, public profile and evidence of capability you produce.
Yes. Employers, universities, embassies, foundations and public organisations may sponsor individuals or discuss dedicated groups with RIL.
Bring the idea, question, product or problem you are ready to develop seriously.
The Fellowship provides the structure. You bring the ambition and the work.
Build. Publish. Launch. Lead.
