Up to US$20,000 is available to entrepreneurs who can launch a new organisation distributing a proven poverty solution in a developing-country setting. The current D-Prize Global Competition is live and focuses on distribution rather than inventing a new product.
Overview
D-Prize backs new organisations that can increase access to interventions that already have credible evidence behind them. Applicants choose one of the published Distribution Challenges, or use the Custom Intervention route if their proposal distributes another proven, evidence-based poverty intervention.
Round 1 requires a two-page concept note and resume or resumes. D-Prize says the top five percent advance to a second written round, followed by interviews for leading applicants. The top one percent can receive funding to launch a pilot.
Benefits
- Funding: Winners can receive up to US$20,000 to support a three-month pilot.
- Business Model: Both for-profit and nonprofit models can be considered.
- Pilot Launch: Funding is intended to help a new organisation test distribution of a proven poverty intervention.
- Future Support: D-Prize says it can help successful pilots connect with its network and position for additional funding.
Eligibility
- Applicant: D-Prize accepts applicants aged 18 or older from a wide range of backgrounds.
- Organisation Stage: The programme primarily funds new organisations and first-time entrepreneurs.
- Existing Organisations: Organisations with more than 18 months of full-time operations or more than US$30,000 raised are typically not supported.
- Intervention: The proposal must focus on distributing a proven, evidence-based poverty intervention rather than developing a new invention.
- Geography: Winners can come from anywhere, but the proposed organisation should operate in a developing country where extreme poverty exists.
- Local Commitment: Applicants should have a credible plan to live and work in the country where the pilot will operate.
How to Apply
- Early Deadline: The early submission deadline is October 25, 2026 at midnight Pacific Time.
- Regular Deadline: The regular submission deadline is November 15, 2026 at midnight Pacific Time.
- Extension: Applicants who register for an extension can receive a deadline of December 6, 2026 at midnight Pacific Time.
- Round 1: Choose a Distribution Challenge and prepare the required two-page concept note and resume or resumes.
- Submit: Follow the current competition instructions on the official D-Prize website.
