The D-Prize Competition 2026 is now open for entrepreneurs, innovators and changemakers who want to launch new organizations that distribute proven solutions to poverty. The competition provides seed funding of up to US$20,000 to selected applicants seeking to expand access to interventions that can improve lives in underserved communities.
D-Prize is built around a simple but important development challenge: many effective poverty solutions already exist, but they do not reach enough people who need them. The competition supports entrepreneurs who can build organizations focused on the distribution, delivery and scaling of evidence-based solutions.
Rather than funding the invention of entirely new products, D-Prize prioritizes ideas that can help deliver existing, proven interventions to people living in poverty. Successful applicants are expected to launch a pilot, demonstrate that their distribution model works and build an organization capable of expanding its impact.
The Global Competition launches on 14 September 2026. Applicants can submit their proposals through the early, regular or extension submission deadlines.
What Is the D-Prize Competition?
D-Prize is a global competition that supports entrepreneurs who want to establish organizations dedicated to distributing proven poverty solutions.
The programme is based on the principle that development interventions can have a greater impact when they are effectively delivered to communities that lack access to them. These interventions may already be supported by research and evidence, but distribution challenges can prevent them from reaching the last mile.
D-Prize seeks entrepreneurs who can answer a central question:
How can an existing, evidence-based poverty solution be distributed more effectively to people who need it most?
Selected entrepreneurs receive seed funding to launch a new organization, test their distribution model and begin building a scalable operation.
The competition focuses on the practical delivery of solutions rather than simply identifying social problems. Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed organization will move a proven intervention from existing supply channels to underserved populations.
How the D-Prize Model Works
The D-Prize model is structured around three main stages:
1. Identify a Proven Poverty Solution
Applicants select an intervention from the D-Prize challenge list or propose another evidence-based intervention that is not currently listed.
The intervention should have credible evidence demonstrating that it can improve outcomes related to poverty, health, education, agriculture, livelihoods, water, public services or other development priorities.
2. Build a Distribution Organization
Applicants develop a plan for launching an organization that will distribute the selected intervention to underserved communities.
The proposed organization may focus on activities such as:
- Delivering products to hard-to-reach communities.
- Connecting vulnerable populations with existing services.
- Improving access to essential health interventions.
- Supporting farmers with proven agricultural inputs or services.
- Expanding access to education and learning interventions.
- Connecting low-income households with public services.
- Providing information, training or support that improves access to proven solutions.
3. Pilot and Scale the Organization
Selected entrepreneurs use the seed funding to launch a pilot and test whether their distribution model works.
After demonstrating initial results, entrepreneurs are expected to raise additional funding and expand their organizations to reach thousands or potentially millions of people.
D-Prize therefore seeks applicants who are not only passionate about social impact but also capable of building practical, sustainable and scalable organizations.
D-Prize Funding: Up to US$20,000
Selected entrepreneurs can receive up to US$20,000 in seed funding to launch a new organization distributing a proven poverty solution.
The funding is intended to help applicants move from an idea to early implementation. Depending on the proposed intervention and operating model, the award may support activities such as:
- Initial programme implementation.
- Distribution of products or services.
- Community outreach.
- Recruitment and training.
- Pilot operations.
- Monitoring and evaluation.
- Local partnerships.
- Transportation and logistics.
- Early organizational expenses.
- Testing and refining the distribution model.
Applicants should explain how the funding will be used to launch and test their organization. The award is designed as seed capital rather than long-term operational funding.
Entrepreneurs are expected to use the pilot stage to generate evidence, demonstrate effectiveness and position their organization for future fundraising and growth.
Who Is D-Prize Looking For?
D-Prize is particularly interested in entrepreneurs who want to establish new organizations focused on distributing evidence-based poverty interventions.
Most awardees are described as first-time entrepreneurs who have not yet launched an organization or raised significant outside funding. Applicants do not necessarily need to have an established nonprofit, company or extensive organizational history.
The competition is especially encouraging applicants from low- and middle-income countries, where distribution gaps may prevent proven poverty solutions from reaching vulnerable populations.
Potential applicants may include:
- Social entrepreneurs.
- Development practitioners.
- Public health innovators.
- Education entrepreneurs.
- Agricultural entrepreneurs.
- Community organizers.
- Researchers interested in implementation.
- Nonprofit founders.
- Youth-led social impact teams.
- Early-stage innovators.
- Professionals seeking to launch a poverty-focused organization.
The key requirement is not simply having a good idea. Applicants must propose a credible plan to distribute a proven intervention and demonstrate the potential to reach people living in poverty.
Eligibility Requirements
D-Prize prioritizes new organizations and early-stage entrepreneurs.
New Organizations
The competition is primarily designed for applicants who have not yet launched an organization or who are still at the earliest stage of development.
Most awardees are first-time entrepreneurs who:
- Have not yet launched their proposed organization.
- Have not raised substantial outside funding.
- Are developing a new distribution-focused organization.
- Want to test and scale a proven poverty solution.
Existing Organizations
Existing organizations may be considered, but only under specific conditions.
An existing organization may be eligible if its core focus is distributing an existing, evidence-based poverty intervention.
However, organizations with:
- More than 18 months of full-time operations, or
- More than US$30,000 raised,
are typically not supported.
Applicants with established organizations should carefully review the official eligibility guidance and frequently asked questions before applying.
Geographic Encouragement
D-Prize especially encourages applications from entrepreneurs based in low- and middle-income countries.
The supplied competition information does not state that applicants must be citizens of a particular country or continent. However, the programme’s emphasis is on poverty-focused distribution models that can serve underserved populations, particularly in low-resource settings.
Applicants should confirm any additional geographic or operational requirements in the official application materials.
D-Prize Intervention Areas
Applicants can choose from several intervention categories. These challenges cover a broad range of sectors connected to poverty reduction, health, education, agriculture, livelihoods and public services.
The listed categories include:
- Agriculture.
- Custom interventions.
- DMPA-SC.
- Education.
- Health.
- Livelihoods.
- Public services.
- Water.
Each intervention page provides a specific challenge question and an application packet that explains the problem, the intervention and the distribution opportunity.
Available D-Prize Challenges
The D-Prize website lists multiple intervention challenges. Applicants should review the available options and select an intervention that matches their interests, skills, local context and distribution capacity.
1. Childhood Diarrhea Treatment
This challenge focuses on distributing oral rehydration salts, commonly known as ORS, and zinc to households before children become sick.
Childhood diarrhea remains a serious threat to children under five, particularly where families lack timely access to treatment. The challenge asks entrepreneurs to develop a distribution model that helps ensure households can access ORS and zinc when needed.
Potential distribution approaches may involve:
- Community health workers.
- Pharmacies and local retailers.
- Health facilities.
- Household education.
- Community-based distribution.
- Partnerships with health organizations.
Applicants should review the official challenge packet for the specific intervention and evidence requirements.
2. DMPA-SC: Reaching Underserved Populations
This challenge focuses on distributing DMPA-SC, a self-injectable contraceptive method, to underserved populations.
The goal is to improve access to reproductive health services and ensure that people who face barriers to conventional healthcare delivery can access appropriate contraceptive options.
Applicants may consider distribution models involving:
- Community-based providers.
- Health facilities.
- Outreach programmes.
- Local health networks.
- Training and referral systems.
- Supply-chain partnerships.
Any proposed model must comply with applicable health regulations and clinical requirements.
3. DMPA-SC: Improving Provider Training
This intervention focuses on improving mandatory provider training for DMPA-SC.
The challenge asks entrepreneurs to develop ways to strengthen the training, knowledge and preparedness of providers responsible for delivering DMPA-SC services.
Potential activities may include:
- Improving training delivery.
- Expanding access to provider education.
- Developing training-support systems.
- Strengthening assessment and supervision.
- Improving training completion and quality assurance.
Applicants should consult the official challenge materials for the required training standards and implementation expectations.
4. DMPA-SC: Last-Mile Inventory Management
This challenge focuses on improving the management of DMPA-SC supplies at the last mile.
Weak inventory management can lead to stockouts, wastage, delays and limited access to essential health products. Applicants are encouraged to develop distribution solutions that improve visibility, availability and management of supplies.
Possible areas of focus include:
- Inventory tracking.
- Stock monitoring.
- Demand forecasting.
- Supply-chain coordination.
- Reporting systems.
- Distribution planning.
- Stockout prevention.
5. DMPA-SC: Medical Waste Management
This challenge asks entrepreneurs to improve the safe disposal of DMPA-SC needles.
The intervention focuses on reducing risks associated with medical waste and improving the safe handling and disposal of used injection equipment.
Applicants may explore solutions involving:
- Safe collection systems.
- Disposal partnerships.
- Provider training.
- Community awareness.
- Waste tracking.
- Appropriate disposal infrastructure.
All proposed approaches must follow relevant public health and medical waste regulations.
6. Reading Glasses
This challenge focuses on distributing non-prescription reading or working glasses to people who need them.
Many individuals experience difficulty reading or performing close-up tasks but may not have access to affordable vision support. The challenge asks entrepreneurs to develop a distribution model that can make suitable reading glasses more accessible.
Potential target groups may include:
- Older adults.
- Workers who require close-up vision.
- Low-income households.
- Rural communities.
- People with limited access to optical services.
Applicants should ensure that their proposed model includes appropriate screening, product quality and referral pathways where necessary.
7. Childcare
The childcare challenge focuses on helping low-income families access quality childcare services.
Affordable and reliable childcare can support children’s development while enabling parents and caregivers to work, study or participate in economic activities.
Applicants may consider distribution or access models involving:
- Community childcare networks.
- Childcare referrals.
- Local service providers.
- Subsidized access systems.
- Parent information platforms.
- Partnerships with existing childcare organizations.
8. ConnectEd Phone-Based Tutoring
This education challenge focuses on distributing a phone-based intervention designed to improve learning outcomes.
The model may be particularly relevant in areas where students have limited access to formal tutoring, educational technology or qualified teachers.
Applicants may explore ways to deliver phone-based learning support through:
- Mobile phones.
- Voice calls.
- SMS-based systems.
- Local education partnerships.
- Teacher or tutor networks.
- Community learning programmes.
The specific intervention requirements should be reviewed in the official challenge packet.
9. Teaching at the Right Level
This challenge focuses on improving foundational literacy and numeracy in resource-limited classrooms.
Teaching at the Right Level is an approach that organizes instruction according to students’ actual learning levels rather than only their age or grade.
Applicants may develop distribution models that help schools and education systems access:
- Teacher training.
- Instructional materials.
- Assessment tools.
- Classroom support.
- Implementation guidance.
- Monitoring systems.
The goal is to help children develop foundational reading, writing and numeracy skills.
10. Road Safety
The road safety challenge focuses on replicating a proven public transport safety campaign to reduce road deaths.
Applicants are expected to identify ways to distribute or implement evidence-based road safety messaging and practices among transport operators, passengers, communities or other relevant groups.
Potential approaches may include:
- Driver education.
- Passenger awareness.
- Public transport partnerships.
- Community campaigns.
- Safety communication.
- Behaviour-change initiatives.
11. Government Transparency
This challenge focuses on monitoring and reporting data to reduce corruption and improve public service delivery.
Applicants may develop organizations that help communities, civil society groups or public institutions collect, analyze and use information to strengthen accountability.
Potential areas of work include:
- Public service monitoring.
- Community reporting.
- Data collection.
- Transparency platforms.
- Citizen feedback.
- Public expenditure tracking.
- Accountability mechanisms.
12. Poverty Graduation
The poverty graduation challenge focuses on providing coaching, capital and social support to help people move out of extreme poverty.
A graduation approach typically combines several forms of support, which may include:
- Livelihood assistance.
- Business or income-generation support.
- Coaching.
- Financial services.
- Skills development.
- Social protection.
- Community support.
Applicants should review the challenge packet to understand the specific intervention and evidence base expected by D-Prize.
13. Agriculture: Propose Your Own
Applicants can propose the distribution of an evidence-based agricultural intervention that is not already included on the D-Prize challenge list.
The proposed intervention should have credible evidence and address a clear agricultural or rural development need.
Potential areas could include:
- Improved agricultural practices.
- Farmer training.
- Quality inputs.
- Market access.
- Climate-smart agriculture.
- Livestock services.
- Agricultural technologies.
- Soil improvement.
- Smallholder productivity.
Applicants must demonstrate why the intervention is evidence-based and explain how their organization will distribute it effectively.
14. Post-Harvest Support
This challenge focuses on providing smallholder farmers with post-harvest loans and storage technologies that have been shown to be effective.
Post-harvest losses can reduce farmer income, food availability and market stability. The challenge encourages distribution models that help farmers preserve, store or finance agricultural produce after harvest.
Potential components may include:
- Storage technologies.
- Post-harvest financing.
- Farmer training.
- Market linkages.
- Warehouse partnerships.
- Loss-reduction services.
15. Quality Agricultural Inputs
This challenge focuses on providing smallholder farmers with quality agricultural inputs and training to increase harvests.
Applicants may explore ways to improve access to:
- Quality seeds.
- Fertilizers.
- Agricultural tools.
- Crop protection products.
- Farmer training.
- Extension services.
- Input distribution networks.
The proposed model should prioritize affordability, quality assurance and effective access for smallholder farmers.
16. Water Filters
This challenge focuses on distributing ceramic water filters to people living in areas without reliable access to clean water.
Applicants are expected to develop a distribution model that makes water filtration technology accessible to underserved households.
Potential activities may include:
- Community distribution.
- Household education.
- Retail partnerships.
- Installation and maintenance support.
- Water, sanitation and hygiene awareness.
- Monitoring of filter use.
17. Kangaroo Care
This health challenge focuses on improving access to Kangaroo Care, a proven but underused intervention for infants born too soon or too small.
Kangaroo Care involves practices that support the care and development of vulnerable newborns, including skin-to-skin contact and related supportive care approaches.
Applicants may explore distribution and awareness models involving:
- Hospitals.
- Maternity facilities.
- Midwives.
- Community health workers.
- Parent education.
- Newborn-care networks.
18. Oxygen
This challenge focuses on developing a team of technicians who can service and repair existing oxygen concentrators.
Medical oxygen is essential for treating several serious health conditions, but equipment failures can limit access in health facilities. The challenge asks entrepreneurs to improve the maintenance and availability of oxygen concentrators.
Potential activities may include:
- Training technicians.
- Establishing repair networks.
- Providing maintenance services.
- Supporting health facilities.
- Managing spare parts.
- Developing equipment-monitoring systems.
19. Patient Identification
This challenge focuses on identifying patients who need treatment for conditions such as:
- Obstetric fistula.
- Cervical cancer.
- Clubfoot.
- Cataracts.
The proposed organization would then connect identified patients with existing treatment services in their area.
Possible activities may include:
- Community screening and awareness.
- Patient referral systems.
- Health-worker partnerships.
- Case identification.
- Transport coordination.
- Treatment navigation.
- Follow-up support.
20. Maternal Health
This challenge focuses on training birth attendants to administer misoprostol to help prevent maternal deaths caused by postpartum hemorrhage.
Applicants may explore distribution models involving:
- Birth attendants.
- Community health workers.
- Maternal health organizations.
- Training programmes.
- Health facilities.
- Referral networks.
Because this intervention involves medication and maternal healthcare, applicants must follow national clinical, regulatory and public health requirements.
21. Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission
This challenge focuses on counselling and motivating HIV-positive pregnant women to adhere to antiretroviral therapy and reduce the risk of mother-to-child HIV transmission.
Potential distribution models may involve:
- Community health workers.
- Maternal health clinics.
- HIV support networks.
- Patient counselling.
- Treatment adherence systems.
- Referral and follow-up services.
22. Child Immunization
This challenge focuses on directing caregivers to bring children to health facilities for routine immunizations that might otherwise be missed.
Applicants may develop systems involving:
- Community mobilization.
- Reminder services.
- Health-worker outreach.
- Parent education.
- Immunization tracking.
- Referral and follow-up.
- Partnerships with health facilities.
23. Sugar Daddy Awareness
This challenge focuses on teaching sugar daddy awareness to eighth-grade classes to reduce unwanted teenage pregnancies and HIV infections.
Applicants may explore ways to distribute an evidence-based educational intervention through:
- Schools.
- Teachers.
- Youth organizations.
- Parent engagement.
- Peer education.
- Community health programmes.
The intervention should be implemented in ways that are age-appropriate, culturally sensitive and aligned with relevant education and safeguarding standards.
24. Propose Your Own Intervention
D-Prize also accepts proposals for evidence-based poverty interventions that are not included on its standard challenge list.
Applicants choosing this route must identify:
- A clear poverty-related problem.
- An existing intervention with credible evidence.
- The population that lacks access to the intervention.
- The distribution gap.
- The proposed organization’s delivery model.
- The expected social impact.
- The plan for piloting and scaling.
The proposed intervention should not simply be a new idea without evidence. D-Prize is specifically interested in distributing solutions that have already demonstrated effectiveness.
D-Prize Competition Timeline
The D-Prize Global Competition 2026 includes three submission deadlines.
| Stage | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Global Competition launches | 14 September 2026 |
| Early Submission Deadline | 25 October 2026 at midnight Pacific Time |
| Regular Submission Deadline | 15 November 2026 at midnight Pacific Time |
| Extension Deadline | 6 December 2026 at midnight Pacific Time |
Applicants who need additional time may register for an extension through the official D-Prize extension page.
Early Submission Deadline
The early submission deadline is:
25 October 2026 at midnight Pacific Time
Applicants who are ready should consider submitting early to avoid last-minute technical or preparation problems.
Regular Submission Deadline
The regular submission deadline is:
15 November 2026 at midnight Pacific Time
This is the main submission deadline listed for the competition.
Extension Deadline
The extension deadline is:
6 December 2026 at midnight Pacific Time
Applicants who require additional time should follow the official instructions for registering for an extension.
Applicants should convert the Pacific Time deadlines to their local time zones and submit well before the closing time.
D-Prize Application Process
The D-Prize selection process consists of several stages.
Round 1: Concept Note and Résumé Submission
Applicants begin by submitting:
- A two-page concept note.
- Résumé or résumés of the applicant or founding team.
The concept note should explain the proposed organization and distribution model. D-Prize receives more than 3,000 submissions per competition, so applicants need to communicate their ideas clearly and directly.
A strong concept note should explain:
- Which intervention will be distributed.
- Why the intervention matters.
- Who lacks access to it.
- Where the organization will operate.
- How distribution will take place.
- Why the applicant or team is well positioned to implement the model.
- How the pilot will be launched.
- How the organization could scale.
- What the funding will make possible.
Round 2: Written Questions
The top 5% of entrepreneurs are invited to answer a set of short written questions.
Selected applicants generally have approximately two weeks to prepare and submit their responses.
At this stage, applicants may be asked to provide more detail about:
- Their proposed intervention.
- Their target population.
- Their distribution strategy.
- Their operational plan.
- Their understanding of the local context.
- Their team’s capabilities.
- Their expected impact.
- Their plans for using the seed funding.
Final Round: Interviews
Top entrepreneurs proceed to phone and email interviews.
The final stage allows D-Prize to assess the applicant’s motivation, understanding of the problem, entrepreneurial ability, proposed distribution model and readiness to launch.
Applicants should be prepared to discuss:
- Why they selected the intervention.
- How they will reach underserved communities.
- What risks they anticipate.
- How they will measure results.
- How they will build partnerships.
- How they will manage operations.
- How they will use the award responsibly.
- How they plan to raise additional funding.
Award and Launch
The top 1% of entrepreneurs receive up to US$20,000 to launch their organization.
Awardees are expected to spend the following months:
- Piloting their distribution idea.
- Establishing their organization.
- Testing their operating model.
- Reaching initial beneficiaries.
- Measuring results.
- Refining their approach.
- Preparing for future growth.
The long-term goal is to build organizations that can scale their impact to reach thousands or millions of people.
How to Download the D-Prize Application Packet
Applicants should select an intervention from the official D-Prize challenge list and download the corresponding application packet.
The application packet provides information about the selected challenge and helps applicants understand the problem, intervention and expectations.
Applicants can also download the general application packet from the D-Prize website:
Download the D-Prize Application Packet
Applicants should read the relevant packet carefully before preparing their concept note.
How to Prepare a Competitive D-Prize Application
Because D-Prize receives thousands of submissions, applicants should ensure that their proposal is specific, practical and evidence-based.
1. Select the Right Intervention
Choose an intervention that:
- Addresses a significant poverty-related need.
- Has credible evidence of impact.
- Is relevant to the target population.
- Can realistically be distributed in the proposed location.
- Matches the applicant’s skills and experience.
- Has potential for scale.
Applicants should avoid choosing an intervention only because it sounds interesting. The proposed distribution model must be realistic within the local context.
2. Define the Distribution Gap
Explain why the intervention is not reaching enough people.
Possible barriers may include:
- Geographic distance.
- High costs.
- Limited information.
- Weak supply chains.
- Lack of trained providers.
- Poor community awareness.
- Inadequate referral systems.
- Stockouts.
- Limited trust.
- Weak coordination between service providers.
A strong proposal should identify the specific last-mile problem the organization intends to solve.
3. Identify the Target Population
Applicants should clearly describe who will benefit from the intervention.
This may include:
- Low-income households.
- Rural communities.
- Smallholder farmers.
- Children.
- Pregnant women.
- Patients with limited access to care.
- Students in resource-limited schools.
- Vulnerable newborns.
- Underserved populations.
- Communities lacking access to clean water.
The target population should be specific rather than described broadly as “everyone in need.”
4. Explain the Delivery Model
Applicants should describe exactly how the intervention will reach beneficiaries.
The proposal should answer questions such as:
- Who will distribute the intervention?
- Where will distribution occur?
- How will beneficiaries be identified?
- What partnerships are needed?
- How will products or services be transported?
- How will quality be maintained?
- How will demand be generated?
- How will the organization monitor delivery?
- How will the model remain affordable and accessible?
5. Demonstrate Local Understanding
Applicants should show that they understand the local environment in which the organization will operate.
This may include knowledge of:
- Local communities.
- Existing service providers.
- Government systems.
- Health or education infrastructure.
- Agricultural value chains.
- Transport networks.
- Cultural considerations.
- Regulatory requirements.
- Existing organizations working in the sector.
6. Present a Realistic Pilot Plan
The pilot should be achievable within the available funding and time.
Applicants should identify:
- The initial geographic area.
- The first group of beneficiaries.
- The activities to be tested.
- The staff or volunteers required.
- The expected outputs.
- The indicators that will be measured.
- The likely risks.
- The approach to learning and adaptation.
7. Explain the Path to Scale
D-Prize is interested in organizations that can eventually reach large numbers of people.
Applicants should explain how the organization could grow after the pilot through:
- Additional fundraising.
- Government partnerships.
- Institutional partnerships.
- Revenue generation where appropriate.
- Replication in other locations.
- Training and franchising.
- Expanded distribution networks.
- Strong monitoring and evidence.
- Strategic partnerships.
8. Highlight Relevant Experience
Applicants should use their résumé or team résumé to demonstrate relevant skills.
Useful experience may include:
- Entrepreneurship.
- Project management.
- Community engagement.
- Public health.
- Education.
- Agriculture.
- Logistics.
- Research.
- Monitoring and evaluation.
- Fundraising.
- Team leadership.
- Product distribution.
- Social enterprise development.
Previous experience is valuable, but applicants should focus on showing why they are capable of executing the proposed plan.
Why D-Prize Is Different from a Traditional Grant
D-Prize is different from many conventional grants because it emphasizes the creation of new organizations and the distribution of proven solutions.
Traditional grants may support established programmes, research projects, institutional activities or general organizational operations. D-Prize, by contrast, is designed primarily to support entrepreneurs who want to launch a new organization focused on delivering evidence-based interventions.
The competition emphasizes:
- Distribution rather than invention.
- Practical implementation rather than theory alone.
- Early-stage entrepreneurship.
- Measurable social impact.
- Last-mile access.
- Pilot testing.
- Organizational growth.
- Long-term scalability.
Applicants should therefore frame their proposal as an organization-building and distribution project rather than simply a research proposal or general community initiative.
Important Considerations Before Applying
Before applying, candidates should carefully consider the following:
- The competition is primarily for new organizations.
- The proposed intervention should be evidence-based.
- The organization must focus on distribution or delivery.
- The funding is seed capital, not a guaranteed long-term budget.
- Applicants should be prepared to pilot their idea.
- The proposed model should have potential for scale.
- Existing organizations may face restrictions based on age and funding history.
- Applicants should review the official eligibility rules.
- Health-related proposals must comply with relevant laws and professional standards.
- Applicants should submit the correct application packet for their chosen intervention.
- All deadlines are expressed in Pacific Time.
- The application process is highly competitive.
Official Application Links
Applicants can explore the available challenges and begin the application process through the official D-Prize website.
- Explore D-Prize Interventions
- Download the Application Packet
- Read the D-Prize Frequently Asked Questions
- Register for an Extension
- Visit the Official D-Prize Website
Conclusion
The D-Prize Competition 2026 offers entrepreneurs and changemakers an opportunity to receive up to US$20,000 to launch organizations that distribute proven poverty solutions to underserved communities.
The competition is built on the understanding that effective interventions already exist in areas such as health, education, agriculture, water, livelihoods and public services, but many people still lack access to them. D-Prize seeks innovative distribution models that can close these gaps and deliver practical solutions to the last mile.
Applicants can choose from a wide range of intervention challenges, including childhood diarrhea treatment, maternal health, child immunization, water filters, agricultural inputs, post-harvest support, education, road safety, government transparency and poverty graduation. They may also propose their own evidence-based intervention if it is not included on the existing list.
The competition is particularly suitable for early-stage entrepreneurs and first-time founders, especially those based in low- and middle-income countries. Applicants should be able to demonstrate a clear understanding of the distribution problem, a practical delivery model, a realistic pilot plan and the potential to scale their impact.
The D-Prize Global Competition launches on 14 September 2026, with the early submission deadline on 25 October 2026, the regular deadline on 15 November 2026, and the extension deadline on 6 December 2026, all at midnight Pacific Time.
Entrepreneurs with a strong commitment to poverty reduction and the ability to distribute proven solutions are encouraged to review the challenge options, download the relevant application packet and prepare a clear, evidence-based proposal.
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