About this opportunity
Applications are open for the Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) Fund 2026 , an evidence-driven funding opportunity supporting innovative solutions with the potential to improve millions of lives in low- and middle-income countries. The DIV Fund provides grant funding of up to US$1.
5 million to eligible organisations developing and scaling cost-effective innovations that address major development challenges. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
What the DIV Fund Offers The funding is structured across three stages: Stage 1 – Pilot: Up to US$200,000 for testing post-prototype innovations in real-world settings. Stage 2 – Test and Position for Scale: Up to US$500,000 , with exceptionally strong cases potentially considered for up to US$750,000 , to evaluate impact, market viability, and readiness for growth.
Stage 3 – Scale: Up to US$1. 5 million for proven innovations ready to expand significantly.
The DIV Fund can provide grants for projects lasting up to five years, depending on the proposed activities and objectives. Funding is tied to agreed milestones rather than provided as general operating support.
Why This Opportunity Stands Out The DIV Fund is not simply looking for interesting ideas. It is looking for innovations that can demonstrate a credible path to measurable impact, cost-effectiveness, and sustainable scale .
This means a startup or organisation with a tested solution, strong evidence, and a clear plan for reaching a large number of people may be a stronger applicant than an organisation with an untested but promising concept. The fund supports innovations that could ultimately improve the lives of more than one million people and have a clear path to long-term financial sustainability.
Eligibility
The opportunity is open to most types of organisations, including: Startups and private-sector companies Nonprofit organisations Social enterprises Universities and research institutions Technical assistance providers Consortia and other legally incorporated organisations. Applicants can be locally led or international organisations, but the proposed innovation must address challenges in low-, lower-middle-, or upper-middle-income countries.
Individuals without a legally incorporated entity cannot apply directly. What Types of Innovations Can Be Funded?
The DIV Fund considers innovations such as: New technologies Policy innovations Social and behavioural innovations New business models New ways to deliver or finance goods and services Cost-effective adaptations of existing solutions Research and rigorous evaluations of promising innovations Solutions being replicated or scaled to new locations. What Applicants Should Know One of the most important requirements is that innovations must generally be past the prototype stage and tested in a real-world setting .
Ideas that have not yet been developed or tested with real users are not eligible for DIV support. Applicants should also be prepared to explain: What problem their innovation solves What evidence shows that the solution works or has potential How much it costs to deliver Why it could be more cost-effective than existing alternatives How it can reach a large number of people How the organisation will sustain the solution beyond the grant period.
Why This Matters for African Startups and Social Enterprises For African innovators, the DIV Fund offers an opportunity to move beyond small-scale pilots and build the evidence needed to attract larger investments, government adoption, private-sector partnerships, or philanthropic support. The fund has previously supported innovations addressing challenges in areas including healthcare, education, agriculture, and digital solutions across developing markets.
Its model is particularly relevant to organisations that can show not only that their solution works, but that it can deliver measurable results at a cost that makes large-scale adoption possible.
Application timeline
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
Application steps
Interested organisations should review the full funding requirements and submit their proposals through the official DIV Fund
Application steps
Who can apply
- eligible organisations developing and scaling cost-effective innovations that address major development challenges
Sources and verification
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