How do I get funded?

We run global prizes twice per year, and participating is the only way to receive our funding. Start by downloading an application packet from our website with instructions on writing and submitting. If a competition is not active, you can join our mailing list at www.d-prize.org and receive an alert when we launch next.

I can’t find the link to apply. Where do I submit my application?

To apply, download the application packet from our website. This contains instructions on how to prepare your proposal and access the submission form. You will submit your application through the online form linked in the application packet.

Should I email D-Prize my application?

No. We do not review or consider proposals submitted by email. All applications must be submitted through our online application form.

Can I apply to multiple interventions or submit multiple proposals?

No. You may only submit one idea per competition. 

I applied in a previous year. Can I apply again?

Yes. You are welcome to apply again, either with the same idea (if improved) or a new one. However, you must explain what has changed since your last application. 

Is my idea eligible?

We cannot review proposals ahead of time, but we have published detailed guidelines in the application packet and on our website.

I have an idea that falls outside of D-Prize’s listed interventions. Will you still consider it?

You may apply under the Custom Intervention if your idea distributes a proven, evidence-based intervention. Your custom proposal must meet our criteria for strong evidence, clear impact, and potential to scale.

What is the size of a D-Prize grant?

We provide up to $20,000 USD to support a three-month pilot.

Do I need to start a new organization to apply?

Yes. We primarily fund new organizations focused on distributing proven, evidence-based interventions. We may consider applications from existing organizations only if your core focus is distributing an existing and proven poverty intervention.

We typically do not support organizations that have

• more than 18 months of full-time operations, or

• raised more than $30,000 USD in outside funding

What if my organization is more than 18 months old but has not received funding?

We typically do not support organizations that exceed either of these thresholds. Even if you have not raised funding, an organization with more than 18 months of operations is generally not eligible.

What types of ideas does D-Prize not fund?

We do not fund:

• Manufacturing or the development of new products

• New inventions or ideas without credible evidence

• Proposals from organizations focused on multiple interventions, where D-Prize funding would support only one project

• Personal or individual financial support (e.g., scholarships, school fees) or general community projects (e.g., building wells or schools)

• Prototypes of new or unproven interventions

What types of organizations do you fund?

D-Prize is open to any business model (for-profit, non-profit, and everything in between). It depends on the selected intervention.

What is a proven intervention?

A proven intervention is an existing product or service with strong evidence showing it improves lives. We believe social impact organizations are well-positioned to distribute these solutions in places where need still exists.

Our listed interventions are based on proven interventions, so you do not need to provide additional evidence when applying to them. However, if you are applying to the custom intervention, your proposed intervention must be supported by strong external evidence.

What is a custom intervention?

A custom intervention is a proposal that distributes a proven solution not listed among our existing interventions. It must meet our criteria for evidence, impact, and scalability.

What do you mean by evidence?

Your custom proposal must include credible evidence and good data proving the effectiveness of the poverty solution you want to distribute. This evidence must come from credible outside sources such as Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), J-PAL, GiveWell, the World Health Organization, the United Nations, and the World Bank.

An organization’s website, social media pages, general organizational reports without specific citations, or belief in the idea do not constitute credible evidence.

Does my company or NGO need to be formed already? 

No. You do not need to have a registered company or NGO to apply.

Is this only open to ideas in sub-Saharan Africa and India?

No. D-Prize winners can be from anywhere in the world and operate in any developing country where extreme poverty exists.

Do I need to be based in the country where I plan to operate?

Yes. You do not need to be a citizen, but you must have a clear plan to live and work in the country for the foreseeable future, both during and after the pilot. You should also demonstrate a strong understanding of the local context and how you will operate effectively there.

Who can apply?

Anyone aged 18 or older can apply. We welcome applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, including students, recent graduates, entrepreneurs, and professionals. You do not always need prior experience in the sector, but you should demonstrate leadership skills, the ability to learn quickly and execute effectively.

Do I need a co-founder or team to apply?

No. We have awarded solo founders in the past. However, strong teams often bring complementary skills and greater capacity to execute.

Do I need to be working on this full-time before applying?

No. However, you should have a clear plan to commit full-time if selected.

What is a concept note?

A concept note is your proposal for the first round of the competition. It responds to the prompts in the application packet and challenge document, and is limited to two pages. We do not review submissions longer than two pages. Please refer to the application packet for detailed guidance.

Should I submit an additional page?

Only if you are applying to the Custom Intervention. In this case, you must include one additional page that explains your intervention and provides evidence that it is proven and in need of greater distribution. This brings the total length of your concept note to three pages.

Can I submit my application in French or another language?

All proposals must be written in English. Your English does not need to be perfect, and grammar or vocabulary errors will not be penalized. We only want to understand your idea.

Can I update or edit my application after submitting?

No. Once submitted, applications cannot be edited. Please review carefully before submitting.

Can I submit additional documents?

Please only submit the materials requested in the application. Other documents will not be considered.

How do the application deadlines work?

Our application stage runs for 12 weeks and includes three deadlines Early, Regular, and Extended. You may submit your application to any of these deadlines. Your chosen deadline does not affect the strength of your proposal. However, if you plan to apply by the Extended deadline, you must register in advance here.

I tried to upload my proposal, but received an error. What happened? 

You will know your submission was successful if you receive an email receipt from apply@d-prize.org. Please check your spam or junk folder or other email addresses before submitting again.

If you have trouble, do the following 

• First, check that your resumes and concept notes are in PDF form, are under 4 MB, and your internet connection is stable. 

• Next, clear your browser cache and try to upload a second time. If this fails, please try using a different browser or use your browser in Incognito Mode. 

• Finally, if this fails again, please send an extremely detailed email to help@d-prize.org explaining the error you experienced. Please include screenshots.

I submitted a proposal. When will I hear back from D-Prize? 

We aim to respond within 12 weeks after the final deadline. In some cases, this may take longer due to the number of submissions. We review and send a response to every single proposal submitted to us.

What is the pilot phase?

The pilot phase is the initial stage of your venture, where you launch your model, begin operations, and test whether it works in practice. We typically fund the first three months of this phase. In some cases, the timeline may vary depending on the nature of the model or sector.

How many winners are selected?

You are not competing against other applicants. We typically fund at least 15 proposals per competition, regardless of the intervention selected.

Where can I find previous winners?

You can find previous winners on our website here