The Overseas Development Institute, as part of its Research and Policy in Development (RAPID) programme, has been looking at the links between research and policy for several years. It is now beginning a process of identifying, developing, distributing and delivering tools, resources and training support that can help researchers access policy processes, with the aim of using their research to contribute to more evidence-based and pro-poor policy. Civil society organizations are increasingly recognizing the need to influence policy and decision-making processes more effectively. This is not least true for think tank bodies. They wish to capture the political imagination and aim to use their insight to have political impact. This handbook addresses various factors that need to be considered in this process, and provides a comprehensive selection of tools that can be used when attempting to turn research into policy influence. The handbook presents work-in-progress on tools for policy impact, specifically geared towards the needs of researchers. The tools are grouped under the headings Research Tools, Context Assessment Tools, Communication Tools, and Policy Influence Tools. The handbook is particularly targeted at civil society organizations, or the part of them, whose activities involve gathering evidence, doing research, learning lessons or advising on strategy for social, environmental and economic development in the north and south.