DIV Fund for Startups and Social Enterprises 2026 ($1.5 Million in Grants)

The DIV Fund 2026 for Startups, Nonprofits, Researchers and Social Enterprises is looking for bold ideas that can solve some of the world’s toughest development challenges. If your organization has developed an innovative solution that improves healthcare, education, agriculture, financial inclusion, climate resilience, or another area affecting low and middle-income countries, this grant programme could provide the funding needed to test, validate, or scale your work. With grants of up to US$1.5 million, the DIV Fund is not simply financing projects. It is investing in solutions that have the potential to improve the lives of millions of people in a measurable and cost-effective way.

What Is the DIV Fund?

The Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) Fund is an independent global development fund that supports innovators working on practical solutions to poverty. Formerly part of USAID, the programme now operates as an independent nonprofit while continuing its evidence-driven approach to identifying and scaling high-impact innovations. Earlier in 2026, the DIV Fund officially launched a new open call for proposals following its transition, backed by philanthropic funding to continue supporting development innovation worldwide.

Unlike many grant programmes that focus on a specific sector, the DIV Fund accepts ideas from almost any field, provided they have strong evidence of impact, demonstrate value for money, and show a realistic pathway to reaching large numbers of people.

Funding is available across three stages:

• Stage 1 (Pilot): Up to US$200,000 to test promising ideas in real-world settings.
• Stage 2 (Test): Up to US$500,000 to generate rigorous evidence of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.
• Stage 3 (Scale): Up to US$1.5 million to expand proven innovations with demonstrated impact.

This staged approach allows organizations to apply for funding that matches the maturity of their innovation rather than competing under a one-size-fits-all model.

Who Can Apply?

One of the strengths of the DIV Fund is its broad eligibility.

Applications are welcome from:

• Startups and private companies.
• Social enterprises.
• Nonprofit organizations and NGOs.
• Universities and higher education institutions.
• Research organizations.
• Technical assistance providers.
• Partnerships and consortia involving eligible organizations.

Projects must address challenges in low-income, lower-middle-income, or upper-middle-income countries, as classified by the World Bank. The fund does not support projects implemented exclusively in high-income countries, and individuals cannot apply unless they are applying through a legally incorporated organization.

What Makes the DIV Fund Different?

The DIV Fund places less emphasis on polished presentations and more on measurable impact.

During the selection process, reviewers assess every proposal against three key principles:

• Evidence that the innovation produces meaningful results.
• Cost-effectiveness compared with existing alternatives.
• Potential to achieve durable scale and improve the lives of more than one million people over time.

Successful applicants receive more than financial support. The programme encourages rigorous testing, learning, and continuous improvement so that promising innovations can attract additional investment and long-term adoption through governments, philanthropic organizations, private markets, or a combination of these pathways.

Whether your solution involves new technology, public policy, business models, healthcare delivery, agriculture, education, or climate resilience, the fund is open to innovations capable of generating lasting development impact.

Deadline and How to Apply

Unlike many funding opportunities that have a fixed closing date, the DIV Fund 2026 accepts applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. This means eligible organizations can submit proposals whenever they are ready rather than waiting for a specific application window. Applications are reviewed as they are received.

Before starting an application, applicants are encouraged to read the official Request for Proposals (RFP) carefully to determine which funding stage best fits their innovation and to understand the evaluation criteria.

Official Application Portal: https://www.div.fund/apply

Organizations with solutions capable of delivering measurable impact at scale should take time to prepare a strong proposal supported by credible evidence, realistic budgets, and a clear strategy for long-term sustainability. For innovators committed to solving global development challenges, the DIV Fund 2026 for Startups, Nonprofits, Researchers and Social Enterprises offers one of the most flexible and substantial grant opportunities currently available.

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