Learning Labs: Strengthening Institutional Capacity To Improve Lives With Evidence
Why Learning Labs?
Learning Labs are an immersive capacity building engagement that help government and nonprofit leaders leverage rigorous evidence to advance effective strategies to address poverty. Learning Labs offer customized, cohort-based training sessions, technical assistance, and peer learning focused around a specific policy area or geography. Learning Labs also provide opportunities to connect with academic researchers to explore partnerships to launch new randomized evaluations when feasible and appropriate. The overall goal is to support cohorts to generate and use rigorous evidence.
Key programmatic components
Learning Labs provide a suite of offerings that are customized based on a given cohort’s needs and the overall aim of the engagement. Learning Labs are primarily offered virtually, complemented by in-person connections when possible. Key programmatic components include:
Training
A series of trainings to build foundational skills to generate and use evidence in the programmatic areas of interest.
Peer Learning
A cohort-based structure for participants to share insights and experiences.
Connections with Researchers
Connections to researchers in J-PAL North America's network.
Customized Support
Individualized support from J-PAL staff to apply key concepts taught in trainings and help participants achieve their evaluation and evidence goals.
Learning Lab cohorts
Learning Labs are focused around a specific policy area or geography and are designed to meet participant needs and goals. Learn more about the Learning Labs that J-PAL North America has launched below.
The Climate Action Learning Lab supports US state and local governments, nonprofits, and industry leaders in identifying and scaling effective decarbonization and adaptation strategies to address the dual challenges of poverty and climate change. Learn more on the Climate Action Learning Lab webpage.
Since 2017, J-PAL North America has fostered strong partnerships with government agencies, nonprofits, and researchers in Puerto Rico, supporting high-quality randomized evaluations to promote a culture of evidence-based decision-making. The Puerto Rico Learning Lab, AprendeLab, provides tailored training on impact evaluation to government agencies and nonprofit organizations to generate new evidence and advance evidence-based policies and programs to improve lives in Puerto Rico.
The Medicaid Learning Lab (MLL) supports Medicaid agency leaders in building the capacity to use evidence in their decision-making and, when appropriate, generate new evidence through structured test-and-learn approaches. Developed by J-PAL North America in collaboration with Yale School of Public Health's SCALE Lab, the MLL connects rigorous research with the practical realities of Medicaid administration, helping agencies strengthen health outcomes, improve coverage, and allocate resources more effectively for their beneficiaries. Learn more on the Medicaid Learning Lab webpage.
Get in touch
Project team
Senior Policy and Training Manager
Policy and Training Manager
Senior Research and Policy Manager
Senior Policy Associate
Contact us
Do you have questions about J-PAL’s Learning Labs, or do you have an idea for a Learning Lab you want to share? Please reach out to [email protected].