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DIV Fund 2026 Request for Proposals

DIV Fund

The DIV Fund is accepting rolling applications for evidence-driven innovations that can cost-effectively improve the lives of people living in poverty. Funding ranges from up to US$200,000 for real-world pilots to US$1.5 million for proven innovations transitioning to scale, with opportunities open across sectors in low-, lower-middle- and upper-middle-income countries. Applicants must already have a post-prototype innovation that has been tested with real users.

Who can apply

  • Nonprofit organisations
  • Social enterprises
  • Startups
  • Private-sector firms
  • Universities and research institutions
  • Technical assistance providers
  • Consortia and partnerships
  • Locally led organisations
  • International organisations implementing eligible projects in low- and middle-income countries

Focus areas

  • Development innovation
  • Health
  • Education and training
  • Agriculture and food security
  • Economic development
  • Livelihoods and poverty reduction
  • Energy
  • Environment and climate-related innovation
  • Water, sanitation and hygiene
  • Governance and public-service innovation
  • Social and behavioural innovation
  • Technology for development
  • Financial inclusion
  • Evidence generation and impact evaluation
  • Cost-effective delivery models
  • Scaling proven development solutions

Requirements

  • The innovation must address an important development problem affecting people living in poverty
  • The innovation must already be post-prototype and tested or used with real users in a real-world setting
  • Applicants must demonstrate a credible theory of change grounded in existing evidence
  • The proposed solution should have strong potential for measurable development impact
  • Applicants must demonstrate or build evidence of cost-effectiveness compared with viable alternatives
  • The innovation should have the potential to achieve substantial and durable scale
  • Applicants must explain a realistic and financially sustainable pathway to scale
  • The requested funding stage must match the innovation's current level of evidence and maturity
  • Stage 2 applicants should already have completed successful pilot testing
  • Stage 3 applicants must have strong evidence of impact and cost-effectiveness or demonstrated commercial viability
  • Applicants must be legally incorporated; individuals without a legal entity are not eligible
  • Projects implemented exclusively in high-income countries are not eligible
  • Government agencies cannot receive funding directly

Application steps

  • Read the full DIV Fund Request for Proposals and determine whether the innovation meets the fund's evidence, cost-effectiveness and scaling criteria.
  • Select Stage 1, Stage 2 or Stage 3 according to the innovation's current maturity, evidence and readiness for scale.
  • Prepare the initial application describing the development problem, innovation, evidence, costs, expected impact, team capacity and pathway to sustainable scale.
  • Submit the initial application through the official DIV Fund online application portal.
  • If shortlisted, provide additional materials requested during due diligence, which may include study designs, budgets, financial information and partnership evidence.
  • Complete financial and operational due diligence if selected before a milestone-based grant agreement is finalised.
Global Grants Hub strategic note

DIV Fund is highly attractive because it is sector-agnostic and offers substantial funding, but applicants should not interpret Stage 1 as funding for raw ideas. Even Stage 1 requires an innovation that is already post-prototype and has been tested or used with real people in a real-world setting. DIV evaluates proposals primarily on evidence of impact, cost-effectiveness and potential for durable scale. The strongest applicants will be able to show why their solution is better value than existing alternatives, how it could eventually reach very large numbers of people, who will finance or adopt it at scale, and why DIV funding is catalytic at this stage. Applicants should also distinguish the current DIV Fund from the former USAID Development Innovation Ventures programme. The present fund is an independent nonprofit initiative and applications should be submitted only through the official div.fund website.

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