D-Prize: grant up to $20,000 for scaling existing solutions for social projects

D-Prize has announced a funding call aimed at launching new organizations that distribute proven poverty interventions. The initiative focuses on closing distribution gaps to ensure established, evidence-based solutions reach underserved populations at the last mile.

Selected applicants can receive seed funding of up to $20,000, covering up to 100% of the initial pilot budget. The funding is intended to support the creation and operational launch of new social enterprises and startups.

The overall deadline for applications under this call is November 15, 2026. Applicants must submit their proposals through the donor’s official online platform in English.

What is funded

The program funds the launch of new organizations focused on distributing proven poverty interventions. Grants support early-stage pilots designed to test last-mile delivery models across sectors such as global health, education, agriculture, energy, and governance.

Specific supported interventions include the distribution of childhood diarrhea treatments, maternal health support, reading glasses, agricultural inputs, clean water filters, and foundational education programs. Applicants may also propose their own evidence-based interventions that are not explicitly listed in the standard challenge categories.

Who can apply

Eligibility is restricted to entrepreneurs, early-stage teams, startups, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) launching a new initiative. The program primarily targets first-time entrepreneurs and new organizations rather than established institutions with preexisting operations.

Applicants must possess a clear operational model designed to distribute a proven intervention to underserved populations. All submission materials, communications, and project proposals must be completed in English.

Conditions and requirements

Successful recipients receive up to $20,000 in seed capital, which provides up to 100% funding to execute an initial operational pilot. The primary objective of this pilot is to validate distribution logistics, measure direct community impact, and establish a foundation for raising future expansion capital.

Practical tip. Download the specific challenge packet for your selected intervention before preparing your proposal, and ensure your operational plan strictly outlines how you will solve the last-mile distribution bottleneck rather than redesigning the underlying product.

Projects must be structured around proven interventions that are already backed by credible evidence. The donor prioritizes models that demonstrate realistic pathways to scale, ultimately aiming to reach thousands or millions of individuals living in poverty.

How to apply

Applications must be prepared and submitted directly via the D-Prize online platform. Prospective founders must select a specific challenge track or choose the open category to propose their own distribution model.

Candidates should review the formal application packet provided for their chosen intervention to ensure all required questions and metrics are addressed. The final deadline to complete and submit proposals is November 15, 2026.

Applications are submitted on the donor’s page: d-prize.org.