DIV Fund Grants

DIV Fund

About the opportunity:

The DIV Fund describes itself as an R&D engine for development. It combines risk-tolerant funding with evidence-based decision-making to back bold ideas, find out what works and scale the most cost-effective ones. Its three funding stages match the risk to how far an innovation has progressed.

Stage 1 (Pilot) supports real-world pilots to test user demand, feasibility, impact potential and financial viability. Stage 2 (Test and Position for Scale) supports rigorous impact evaluations, market validation and testing new business models. Stage 3 (Scale) supports the scale-up of validated innovations that have strong evidence of impact and cost-effectiveness, or commercial viability, and that use outside partnerships to drive wide adoption.

Every application is judged on three principles: evidence of impact, cost-effectiveness and durable scale. What the fund expects under each one depends on the stage you apply for. It looks for innovations with the potential to reach more than 1 million people and a clear path to lasting financial sustainability, whether through government or philanthropic funding, private markets or a mix. Successful applicants receive a milestones-based grant, which means funding is tied to meeting agreed milestones. The fund suits innovators, researchers and organisations with a tested idea and a credible plan to grow.

Who can apply:

• Applicants with an innovation that has the potential to improve lives cost-effectively
• Applicants with a credible theory of change grounded in evidence
• Applicants whose innovation could reach more than 1 million people and become financially sustainable
• Applicants who choose the funding stage that matches how far their innovation has progressed
• Applicants who submit original work that shows their own judgement and ownership, since the fund may decline proposals that are mainly AI-generated

What you get:

• Stage 1 pilot grants of up to US $300,000
• Stage 2 grants of up to US $1 million to test and position for scale
• Stage 3 grants of up to US $4 million to scale validated innovations
• Milestones-based funding, with payments tied to agreed milestones

How to apply:

1. Read the Request for Proposals in full. It explains what the fund supports and how proposals are judged at each stage.

2. Submit your application through the online portal. You can draft it offline using the downloadable PDF or Word version, but you must submit it through the website.

3. Wait for the initial review, where eligible applications are checked against the fund's criteria for your stage.

4. If you advance, take part in due diligence. You will be asked for more detailed materials, such as study designs, budgets and partnership letters.

5. If you reach the decision panel stage, expect a panel review, which may ask you to strengthen parts of your proposal before funding.

6. If you are successful, complete the pre-award stage, where financial checks are done and milestones, budgets and agreements are finalised.

Official link: Use the Apply button on this page to go straight to the official application. Always confirm the latest details and requirements on DIV Fund's official page before applying.

Tip: Read the Request for Proposals and the applicant FAQs first, and write the application yourself, because the fund says it may decline proposals that appear to be mainly AI-generated.