D-Prize Global Competition 2026

D-Prize is a global competition for entrepreneurs who can launch new organisations that distribute proven poverty interventions to people who still lack access. The competition supports practical distribution models across health, education, agriculture, water, livelihoods and public services, as well as credible evidence-backed ideas submitted through the custom challenge routes. Successful teams can receive up to US$20,000 to launch and test a distribution pilot. Applicants first select an intervention from the official challenge list, or use the relevant “Propose Your Own” route where their intervention is backed by credible evidence. The first round requires a two-page concept note and the applicant’s résumé or résumés. D-Prize says the top 5% of applicants will be invited to answer short written questions and will have two weeks to respond. Finalists then take part in phone and email interviews. The top 1% can receive an award and spend the following months piloting the idea and building the organisation. The regular submission deadline is 15 November 2026 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Applicants who register for an extension may submit by 6 December 2026 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. The earlier regular deadline is used in this listing so applicants do not assume that the extension applies automatically.

The competition is primarily for new organisations. D-Prize notes that most awardees are first-time entrepreneurs who have not yet launched or raised outside funding, and it especially encourages applicants from low- and middle-income countries. Organisations with more than 18 months of full-time operations or more than US$30,000 raised are typically not supported. Existing organisations are considered only when their core focus is distributing an existing, evidence-based poverty intervention. Applicants should be prepared to select an official D-Prize intervention, or propose a credible evidence-backed distribution intervention through an available custom challenge, and submit the required concept note and résumés.