Applications are now open for the Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) Fund 2026, a global funding opportunity that supports innovative, evidence-based solutions capable of improving millions of lives across low- and middle-income countries.
The Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) Fund provides grant funding of up to US$1.5 million to startups, nonprofits, social enterprises, research institutions, and other eligible organisations that are developing and scaling cost-effective innovations addressing critical development challenges.
Unlike many grant programmes that fund ideas at the concept stage, the DIV Fund focuses on innovations that have already been tested in real-world settings and demonstrate strong potential for large-scale impact.
If your organisation has a proven solution with the potential to transform lives across Africa or other developing regions, this could be one of the most valuable funding opportunities available in 2026.
What is the Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) Fund?
The Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) Fund is an evidence-driven funding programme that invests in innovations capable of delivering measurable development impact at scale.
Rather than funding projects based solely on good intentions, DIV prioritises organisations that can demonstrate:
- Strong evidence that their solution works
- Cost-effectiveness
- Scalability
- Long-term sustainability
- Significant social impact
The programme aims to support innovations that can ultimately improve the lives of more than one million people.
Applications are accepted throughout the year on a rolling basis, allowing organisations to apply when they are ready.
How Much Funding is Available?
The DIV Fund operates a staged funding model that supports organisations at different phases of growth.
Stage 1 – Pilot
Funding: Up to US$200,000
This stage supports organisations that have moved beyond the prototype stage and are ready to test their innovation in real-world conditions.
Funding may be used to:
- Validate the solution
- Test implementation
- Gather user feedback
- Strengthen operational models
- Build evidence of effectiveness
Stage 2 – Test and Position for Scale
Funding: Up to US$500,000
Exceptional projects may receive up to US$750,000.
This stage supports organisations that already have promising evidence and need additional funding to:
- Evaluate impact
- Improve the business model
- Strengthen market readiness
- Generate rigorous evidence
- Prepare for large-scale expansion
Stage 3 – Scale
Funding: Up to US$1.5 Million
This stage supports proven innovations that are ready for significant expansion.
Funding may help organisations:
- Expand into new regions
- Increase beneficiary reach
- Strengthen delivery systems
- Build strategic partnerships
- Prepare for long-term sustainability
Projects may receive funding for activities lasting up to five years, depending on their objectives and agreed milestones.
Why the DIV Fund is Different
Many grant programmes focus on innovation.
The DIV Fund focuses on innovation with evidence.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate not only that their solution is innovative but also that it:
- Solves an important development challenge
- Produces measurable results
- Delivers value for money
- Can be sustained beyond grant funding
- Has the potential to reach millions of beneficiaries
Funding is milestone-based rather than unrestricted operating support, ensuring accountability and measurable progress throughout the project.
Who Can Apply?
The DIV Fund welcomes applications from a wide range of legally registered organisations, including:
- Startups
- Private-sector companies
- Nonprofit organisations
- Social enterprises
- Universities
- Research institutions
- Technical assistance providers
- Consortia
- Other legally incorporated organisations
Both locally led and international organisations are eligible, provided their proposed innovation addresses challenges in:
- Low-income countries
- Lower-middle-income countries
- Upper-middle-income countries
Please note: Individuals who do not have a legally incorporated organisation are not eligible to apply directly.
What Types of Innovations Can Be Funded?
The DIV Fund supports a broad range of innovative solutions, including:
New Technologies
Innovative technologies that improve development outcomes.
Policy Innovations
Creative policy approaches that address systemic development challenges.
Social and Behavioural Innovations
Solutions that encourage positive behaviour change or improve social outcomes.
New Business Models
Innovative approaches to delivering products and services more efficiently.
Innovative Financing Models
New methods of financing essential goods and services.
Adaptation of Existing Solutions
Cost-effective improvements or adaptations of proven interventions.
Research and Impact Evaluations
Rigorous studies that generate evidence on promising innovations.
Scaling Proven Solutions
Expansion of successful innovations into new regions or markets.
Priority Development Areas
The DIV Fund has supported innovations across numerous sectors, including:
- Healthcare
- Agriculture
- Education
- Financial Inclusion
- Digital Technology
- Water and Sanitation
- Climate Adaptation
- Economic Development
- Women’s Empowerment
- Food Security
- Livelihoods
- Governance
African organisations working in these sectors are encouraged to explore the opportunity.
What Makes a Strong DIV Application?
One of the defining features of the DIV Fund is its emphasis on evidence.
Applicants should be prepared to clearly explain:
The Problem
What challenge does your innovation address?
Why is this problem important?
The Solution
How does your innovation solve the problem?
What makes it different from existing approaches?
Evidence
What data demonstrates that the innovation works?
Have you already tested it with real users?
Cost-Effectiveness
Can your solution deliver better outcomes at a lower cost than existing alternatives?
Scalability
Can your innovation realistically reach hundreds of thousands or even millions of people?
Sustainability
How will the innovation continue after grant funding ends?
Projects with strong answers to these questions are generally more competitive.
Important Eligibility Requirement
One of the most critical requirements is that innovations should generally be past the prototype stage.
The DIV Fund is not designed for untested ideas.
Applicants should already have:
- A functioning solution
- Initial implementation experience
- Evidence from real-world testing
- A clear pathway for growth
This makes the programme particularly attractive for startups and social enterprises that have completed early pilots and are now seeking larger-scale funding.
Why This Opportunity Matters for African Startups
Many African startups struggle to secure funding after completing their initial pilot programmes.
Traditional investors often require stronger evidence before investing, while many grants only support early-stage ideas.
The DIV Fund fills this important funding gap.
Successful applicants can use the grant to:
- Strengthen impact evidence
- Improve operational systems
- Prepare for investment
- Expand into new markets
- Attract government partnerships
- Increase social impact
For African innovators solving real development challenges, the programme can serve as a bridge between pilot implementation and large-scale growth.
Tips to Improve Your Chances of Success
If you intend to apply, consider these practical recommendations:
- Present strong evidence that your solution works.
- Clearly quantify the development problem you are solving.
- Demonstrate measurable impact.
- Explain why your innovation is more cost-effective than existing alternatives.
- Develop a realistic scaling strategy.
- Include a sustainability plan beyond the grant period.
- Present a clear monitoring and evaluation framework.
- Ensure your financial projections are realistic and well supported.
Remember, the strongest applications combine innovation with credible evidence and a practical plan for achieving large-scale impact.
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Need Help Preparing a Competitive Application?
Preparing a successful international funding application requires more than simply completing an online form.
Funders want to see:
- A compelling problem statement
- A clear theory of change
- Strong implementation plans
- Credible financial projections
- Evidence of impact
- Sustainability strategies
At Dayo Adetiloye Business Hub, we help startups, NGOs, researchers, and social enterprises prepare high-quality applications for international grants and investment opportunities.
Our services include:
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Our team has supported hundreds of organisations across Africa in preparing successful applications for grants, accelerators, and investment programmes.
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Application Deadline
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
There is no fixed deadline, but organisations are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as they are ready.
How to Apply
Interested organisations should review the programme guidelines and submit their applications through the official Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) Fund application portal.
Visit the official programme website to access eligibility requirements, application guidance, and submission instructions.
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