D Prize Global Competition 2026

The D Prize Global Competition 2026 is an international funding opportunity for entrepreneurs who want to launch new organizations that distribute proven solutions to people living in poverty. The competition is organized by D Prize, an organization focused on increasing access to evidence based products and services that are already known to improve lives but have not yet reached everyone who needs them.

D Prize provides startup funding of up to US$20,000 to selected entrepreneurs. The funding is intended to help founders launch a new organization, conduct an initial pilot and begin building an organization capable of reaching thousands or even millions of people. The competition supports both social enterprises and nonprofit organizations, including NGOs and charities.

The competition is particularly relevant to entrepreneurs in low and middle income countries where extreme poverty remains a significant challenge. D Prize encourages applicants to focus on the distribution of existing, evidence based poverty interventions rather than developing completely new products or untested solutions.

About the D Prize Competition

D Prize is built around the idea that many effective poverty solutions already exist, but often fail to reach people at the last mile. The competition therefore focuses on finding entrepreneurs who can develop practical and scalable distribution models.

Selected entrepreneurs go through a competitive application and evaluation process. According to D Prize, the first round receives more than 3,000 submissions. Applicants submit a two page concept note and resume or resumes. The strongest applicants progress to additional written questions and interviews, with the top entrepreneurs receiving funding to launch their organizations.

The 2026 competition includes interventions addressing maternal and child health, reproductive health, education, agriculture, water access, poverty graduation, public services and other development challenges.

Opportunity Benefits

• Startup funding of up to US$20,000

• Seed support for launching a new organization

• Opportunity to pilot a proven poverty intervention

• Support for distribution focused social enterprises and nonprofit organizations

• Opportunity to develop a scalable model for reaching underserved communities

• Access to a competitive global entrepreneur selection process

• Opportunity to build an organization capable of expanding its social impact

Challenge Areas

Applicants can select an existing D Prize intervention or propose their own evidence based solution.

• Childhood diarrhea treatment through distribution of oral rehydration salts and zinc

• DMPA SC distribution to underserved populations

• DMPA SC provider training

• DMPA SC last mile inventory management

• DMPA SC medical waste management

• Distribution of reading and working glasses

• Access to quality childcare for low income families

• Phone based tutoring through ConnectEd

• Foundational literacy and numeracy through Teaching at the Right Level

• Road safety interventions

• Government transparency and public service monitoring

• Poverty graduation through coaching, capital and social support

• Agriculture interventions supported by credible evidence

• Post harvest loans and storage technology

• Quality agricultural inputs and farmer training

• Ceramic water filters

• Kangaroo Care for infants born too soon or too small

• Maintenance and repair of oxygen concentrators

• Patient identification and referral for selected health conditions

• Maternal health interventions using misoprostol

• Prevention of mother to child HIV transmission

• Childhood immunization

• Sugar Daddy Awareness education

• Other evidence based poverty interventions proposed by applicants

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants should be launching a new organization or venture.

• First time entrepreneurs who have not yet launched or raised outside funding are particularly encouraged to apply.

• Applicants from low and middle income countries are especially encouraged.

• Organizations with more than 18 months of full time operations are typically not supported.

• Organizations that have raised more than US$30,000 are typically not supported.

• Existing organizations may be considered when their core focus is distributing an existing, evidence based poverty intervention.

• Proposed interventions should have credible evidence demonstrating that they can improve lives.

• Applicants should be prepared to explain how their organization will distribute the selected intervention effectively and reach people who need it.

Required Application Materials

• Two page concept note

• Resume or resumes

• Selected D Prize intervention or a qualifying proposed intervention

• Description of the poverty problem being addressed

• Explanation of the proposed distribution model

• Evidence supporting the selected intervention

• Information about the applicant and founding team

Applicants who advance beyond the first round may be asked to answer additional written questions. Finalists may also participate in phone or email interviews.

Selection Process

D Prize uses a multi stage selection process.

1. Applicants submit a concept note and resume or resumes during the first round.
2. D Prize reviews submissions and identifies the strongest entrepreneurs.
3. Selected applicants are invited to complete additional written questions.
4. Final candidates participate in interviews.
5. The strongest entrepreneurs receive funding of up to US$20,000 to launch their organizations.
6. Funded entrepreneurs use the initial support to pilot their distribution model and begin developing an organization capable of scaling its impact.

How to Apply

1. Review the available D Prize distribution challenges and identify a proven intervention that addresses a significant poverty related need.
2. Download the official D Prize application packet from the D Prize website.
3. Study the application instructions and requirements carefully.
4. Prepare a two page concept note explaining the problem, intervention, distribution strategy and proposed organization.
5. Prepare your resume or resumes and any other information requested in the application packet.
6. Submit the application through the official online application form. D Prize does not accept applications submitted by email.
7. If selected for the next stage, complete the additional written questions within the required timeframe.
8. Prepare for a possible interview if you progress to the final stage.