D-Prize is dedicated to seeding new organizations that distribute proven poverty solutions, with a primary goal of achieving significant scale. The initiative provides up to $20,000 in funding to launch new ventures focused on last-mile distribution. Selected entrepreneurs will first run a pilot program, with the long-term objective of raising the necessary capital to expand their impact to reach thousands or even millions of people in need.
D-Prize Interventions
• DMPA-SC: Reach Underserved Populations: Distribute DMPA-SC to underserved communities.
• DMPA-SC: Improve Provider Training: Enhance mandatory provider training for DMPA-SC.
• DMPA-SC: Last Mile Inventory Management: Improve inventory management of DMPA-SC at the last mile.
• DMPA-SC: Propose Your Own Distribution Plan: Expand access to DMPA-SC using a proven approach not listed.
• Reading Glasses: Distribute non-prescription reading or working glasses to those in need.
• Childcare: Help low-income families access quality childcare services.
• ConnectEd Phone-based Tutoring: Distribute a phone-based intervention to improve learning outcomes.
• Teaching at the Right Level: Improve foundational literacy and numeracy in resource-limited classrooms.
• Road Safety: Reduce road deaths by replicating a proven public transport safety campaign.
• Government Transparency: Monitor and report data to reduce corruption and improve public services.
• Poverty Graduation: Provide coaching, capital, and social support to lift people out of ultra-poverty.
• Agriculture: Propose Your Own: Distribute an evidence-based agriculture intervention not on the current list.
• Post-Harvest Support: Provide post-harvest loans and storage technology to smallholder farmers.
Eligibility Criteria
• Organization Status: The program is designed for new organizations. Most awardees are first-time entrepreneurs who have not yet launched or raised external funding.
• Geographic Focus: Applicants from low- and middle-income countries are especially encouraged to apply.
• Funding and Operational Limits: Organizations with more than 18 months of full-time operations or that have raised more than $30,000 USD are typically not supported.
• Existing Organizations: Established organizations are considered only if their core focus is distributing an existing, evidence-based poverty intervention.
Application Timeline
• Global Competition Launch: 7 April 2026
• Early Submission Deadline: 17 May 2026 at 23:59 PT (Pacific Time)
• Regular Submission Deadline: 7 June 2026 at 23:59 PT (Pacific Time)
• Extension Deadline: 28 June 2026 at 23:59 PT (Pacific Time)
Evaluation Process
• Round 1: Applicants submit a two-page concept note and their resume(s). The competition typically receives over 3,000 submissions.
• Round 2: The top 5% of entrepreneurs are invited to answer a series of short written questions, with a two-week deadline for submission.
• Final Round: The top candidates participate in phone and email interviews.
• Award: The top 1% of applicants are selected to receive up to $20,000 in funding to launch their venture.
Successful awardees will spend the subsequent months piloting their proposed idea and focusing on building an organization structured for significant growth and large-scale impact. Interested parties can register to be alerted when the next global competition is launched, which occurs approximately twice per year.