D-Prize Global Competition
Seed support for a new venture distributing an existing, proven solution to poverty.
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Is this worth your time?
A strong option when your innovation is how a proven poverty solution reaches people. It is the wrong funding route for developing a new invention or financing unrelated activities within a broad organisation.
Ubunifu editorial assessment, not an organiser eligibility decision.A stronger fit when...
Founders aged 18 or over proposing a new distribution venture in a developing-country setting. Registration is not required at application. For-profit and nonprofit models can qualify. Existing organisations are usually outside scope after 18 months of full-time operations or USD 30,000 of outside funding.
Pause or look elsewhere when...
New-product research, manufacturing, unproven prototypes, scholarships or general community construction. A custom intervention still needs credible external evidence; a founder's belief or website is insufficient.
What the support actually means
Up to USD 20,000 supports an initial three-month pilot. This is a competitive ceiling, not a guaranteed award or long-term operating budget. Later fundraising and sustainable delivery still need a plan.
Costs and commitments: Application fee not stated in reviewed material.
Your costs, time and commitments
Plan to work full-time if selected and to live and work in the operating country. The regular date is 15 November; the 6 December extension requires registration. Follow the packet's Pacific Time wording rather than assuming Kenyan midnight.
How selection or access works
Round one uses a two-page concept note and resumes. Shortlisted teams answer further questions and finalists undergo interviews. D-Prize stresses a clear, feasible distribution plan, team strength and the ability to scale.
Preparation and application steps
Get these ready first
Preparation advice; the organiser determines mandatory documents.
- Choose one intervention and identify the last-mile barrier your team can address.
- Outline the first pilot location, delivery partners, measurable outputs and a realistic budget.
- For a custom intervention, organise the additional evidence page; keep only requested documents.
Your next steps
- Download the current challenge and application packet.
- Test whether your idea is distribution of an existing solution, not development of a new one.
- Submit one proposal through the official form and retain the email receipt; submitted applications cannot be edited.
Questions to confirm and guide sources
Questions to confirm before committing
- The current packet's deadline convention and extension-registration requirements.
- Any award-specific disbursement, reporting or permitted-spending conditions before accepting funding.
Sources behind this decision guide
Reviewed 2026-11-05. Guidance is not a guarantee that an application window remains open.
Full programme facts and official sources
Who this is for
Founders aged 18 or over distributing a proven poverty intervention. Usually under 18 months of full-time operations and under USD 30,000 raised; qualifying Kenyan ventures may apply.
- Stage
- New venture
- Sector
- Poverty interventions
- Support type
- Pilot seed funding
- Costs and commitments
- Application fee not stated in reviewed material.
- Deadline
- 15 Nov 2026 - closing time/timezone not specified
- As published
- 15 November 2026 at midnight PT; registered extension 6 December 2026 at midnight PT. Confirm the exact cutoff in the current packet.
- Format
- Pilot in the country of operation.
- Event dates
- Pilot dates follow selection and the award agreement.
- Travel and visa support
- No travel subsidy confirmed.
- Documents and preparation
- Two-page concept note and founder resumes; custom interventions require additional evidence.
- How to apply
- Download the current packet, choose one intervention and use its online form. Register separately for the 6 December extension when needed.
- Applicant route
- Direct competition application; separate registration is required for the extension.
Official sources
D-Prize current competition Source checked 2026-11-05
D-Prize eligibility FAQ Source checked 2026-11-05
D-Prize extension registration Source checked 2026-11-05
Check before committing
Not for inventing or manufacturing an unproven product. The official wording is midnight Pacific Time; no exact UTC instant has been invented. The extension is not automatic.
Listing, saving and community ratings do not verify the organiser, guarantee eligibility or promise selection. Check the official terms before committing time or money.