Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) is USAID’s open innovation program that tests and scales creative solutions to any global development challenge. By investing in breakthrough innovations driven by rigorous evidence, USAID impacts millions of lives at a fraction of the usual cost.
Open innovation inspires new solutions to the critical challenges affecting millions around the world. DIV supports groundbreaking ideas to transform lives and maximize USAID’s impact per dollar. DIV turns bright ideas into real results.
Innovative solutions come in many forms – whether a product, technology, service, or application of a creative business and delivery model. DIV is an open door to USAID – anyone, anywhere can apply at any time.
We provide flexible, tiered grant funding to test new ideas, take strategic risks, build evidence of what works, and advance the best solutions. We look for solutions that demonstrate rigorous evidence of impact, cost-effectiveness, and a viable pathway to scale and sustainability.
Proposals are accepted year-round across three stages, from any type of organization, in any country in which USAID operates.
- Stage 1: Proof of Concept (Up to $200,000 – up to 3 years)
- Stage 2: Testing and Positioning for Scale ($200,000 to $1,500,000 – up to 3 years)
- Stage 3: Scaling ($1,500,000 to $5,000,000 – up to 5 years)
In addition to tiered funding, DIV provides evidence grants (up to $1,500,000) to support research and evaluations that generate rigorous evidence of an innovation’s impact per dollar and potential for expansion. These applications are evaluated separately from proposals for tiered funding.
HOW TO APPLY
Step 1: Learn about DIV and whether it’s right for you
Review our website, including the DIV model and different stages of funding. Review the Annual Program Statement (APS) before submitting an application through our online portal. You can also browse current and past winners in our portfolio(link is external). Only applicants that demonstrate a full understanding of DIV’s evaluation criteria will be considered for funding. Reviewing all of these resources before submitting your application is critical. DIV receives over 1,000 applications each year.
Step 2: Submit your application to DIV at any time
Prepare your application by using the sample application (in Word format) to work on your application offline. Once ready, submit your application through our online portal. In response to various questions, describe the problem, proposed solution, expected activities and outcomes, evaluation plan, and project team. Applications are accepted and evaluated on a rolling basis, year-round. Applicants will receive a response to this initial application within 1-2 months of submission.
To apply, submit an online application here(link is external). You will be directed to an external, third-party site. Please note that the application portal is best accessed through Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge.
Step 3: Participate in the DIV due diligence process
A select group of applicants pass the initial review and move onto the due diligence stage. During this phase, applicants will have the opportunity to pitch their proposal for the DIV team to better understand the proposed solution. The DIV team may conduct additional interviews, request supplementary materials, contact references or partners, engage other USAID or external experts, and gather any other information to fully evaluate the application. The due diligence process takes 2-5 months, depending on a variety of factors, such as the proposal’s technical complexity.
Step 4: Negotiate and finalize the grant award
After collecting sufficient information, the DIV team will convene a technical evaluation committee. If the panel makes a funding recommendation, the applicant will receive an official “Notice of Intent to Award.” Once recommended for funding, you enter the process to negotiate and finalize the grant award, primarily involving USAID’s Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA) and the DIV team. In addition to completing various materials required by the Agency, an important part of this process is negotiating the project milestones that will structure the award payments. DIV provides funding only when specific results and milestones are achieved. The process to negotiate and finalize the award can take 3-5 months.
Step 5: Receive DIV funding!
Once OAA determines that all requirements are met, OAA will award the grant. From the date you submit an application to the date of award finalization, the process can vary between 6 to 12 months.
APPLY ONLINE NOW, THROUGH
Development Innovation Ventures Sample Application (September 2018) 
(This is SAMPLE APPLICATION FORM)
I hope you are doing well. i would like to participate in sending a project proposal concerned with Educational aspect specifically building of Library and Computer laboratory. I have seen and read the guidelines, but I was not able to understand them. I have already written a complete project of twenty pages but it seem to be too long. Please kindly guide me on how to summarize the project in phase one and phase two including the diagrams which are in the project proposal.
That’s cool Rajabu. You need to download Application Forms via Link provided above, Read the instructions and submit it through Online(Check the Link above)
So there is basically no deadline in this?
I need to send a my project proposal about the importance of electricity energy in rural village for women, who suffer from the bad condition of standard living especial basic need of life and electricity was among of them
Please let me know can funding grants for business development ,
My name is siwema devidi fungo I have completed certificate in nurse(medical attending)also I have certificate computer so I beg opportunity to chance indeed to opened are big pharmacy. No:0763678508
My names are Chacha Christopher Ashery I compete education in original diploma of accounting in Tanzania institute of accounting (TIA) please given me job my contact number is 0746232191 and
Email is [email protected]
My names are obas mwambilu i complete degree in computer science i need to send my bussines idear please give me a job my contant 0755233944
Very interesting info !Perfect just what I was looking for! “To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness.” by Bertrand Russell.
Iam electrician and I have the project of establish electrical generator and operating without using any fuel of source of energy to generating electricity and this generator will be able used in village and any area where electric is difficult. So I need the money inord to success in my plan
Am Lawrence nyenye, I have diploma of shipping and port management, I want to push up my interprise ideas for better succession, please give me a job so as to counteract our goals,
[email protected]
0764351873
My name is Lilian Essau up to now I am taking bachelor of social work at the university of Dar-es-salaam. My project or idea I wish to have a place consist of old people,street children,disabled people and orphans also not only living with them but I wish to establish different activities where by each group will working accordingly .so please am asking for your support on this project
My name is Cassian Anthony, from Tanzania, i want to deal with my project which i about environment protection, my dream is to plant more than 10 million trees ? here in my district, i do belive with your help i will succeed Thanks
Hi
I am Munah 32 years old professional Teacher, My business plan is to digitize educatinal materials for primary and secondary schools for accesibility also to delve problems of shortage of teachers in remote areas and teachers employment.
Thanks
Please email me.
You are doing well to support people who have ideas that can help our societies to improve lives. I am a librarian who have a project proposal on Library as information source to help my community to be well informed and improve their life. I believe this is best opportunity for me so as to implement my project.
I believe you will help me. THANKS IN ADVANCE
Naitwa zahda elimu yangu ni ya diploma naomba kusapotiwa katika kutatua matatizo katika jamii haswa matatizo yanayo walenga vija natumai mtalifanyia kazi wako mtendaji katika jamii
Emmanuel f. Mlelwa professionaly am a teacher. I am very interested to have a school which provide pre & Primary schools for supporting orphans & street children. I luck capital for introducing such project.The place for introducing this project is present.
Hello I would like to help people mostly women (pregnant) children by building a hospital or dispensary to help them in that field I would like to have ur assistance in this project thanks in advance healthy is wealth
naitwa furaha mohamed nina elimu ya diproma naomba ufaziri wa kufungua kituo cha kuhamasisa vijana kupima ukimwi kwa hiyari na matumizi ya arv kwa usahihi
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Am Tungu Nghwaya from Tanzania,a bachelor holder in marketing and advertising..Honestly am interested in the topic on the table due to lack of employment opportunities to youth,there for through the business projects will make youth independent from government, As the business practitioner I can make it possible.
Mm naitwa Adam F Peter Niko Arusha nikijana wakiume mwenye umri wa miaka 24 Ni mtanzania,elimu yangu Ni ya kidato cha nne nilianza mwaka 2008 nakumaliza 2011, baada ya hapo sikufanikiwa kuendelea na Shule, Nikajiunga na college na kusomea mafunzo hotel management nimeanza mafunzo hayo mwaka,2012, na baada ya kumaliza masomo ya darasan nikaenda majaribia ya Kaz Landmark hotel ubungo Riverside, kwasababu ya kufanya Kaz vzr na kuheshim mkubwa na mdogo na kuwa na hofu ya mungu nabahatika kupata kaz pale pale landmark hotel mpaka mwaka jana 2017 mwezi wa nane nikapata tatizo la kifamilia la kumuuguza baba mzazi ambalo lilinipelekea kushindwa kuendelea na Kaz mpaka sasa baba ni marehem, Nilikuwa naomba kaz kwenye kampun yenu yeyote, mungu awabariki na wafanyie wepesi katika kunifiria katika ombi langu number zangu za cm 0716030619/ 0759212647
Mm naitwa Adam F Peter Niko Arusha nikijana wakiume mwenye umri wa miaka 24 Ni mtanzania,elimu yangu Ni ya kidato cha nne nilianza mwaka 2008 nakumaliza 2011, baada ya hapo sikufanikiwa kuendelea na Shule, Nikajiunga na college na kusomea mafunzo hotel management nimeanza mafunzo hayo mwaka,2012, na baada ya kumaliza masomo ya darasan nikaenda majaribia ya Kaz Landmark hotel ubungo Riverside, kwasababu ya kufanya Kaz vzr na kuheshim mkubwa na mdogo na kuwa na hofu ya mungu nabahatika kupata kaz pale pale landmark hotel mpaka mwaka jana 2017 mwezi wa nane nikapata tatizo la kifamilia la kumuuguza baba mzazi ambalo lilinipelekea kushindwa kuendelea na Kaz mpaka sasa baba ni marehem, Nilikuwa naomba kaz kwenye kampun yenu yeyote, mungu awabariki na wafanyie wepesi katika kunifiria katika ombi langu number zangu za cm 0716030619/ 0759212647
Mm naitwa Adam F Peter Niko Arusha nikijana wakiume mwenye umri wa miaka 24 Ni mtanzania,elimu yangu Ni ya kidato cha nne nilianza mwaka 2008 nakumaliza 2011, baada ya hapo sikufanikiwa kuendelea na Shule, Nikajiunga na college na kusomea mafunzo hotel management nimeanza mafunzo hayo mwaka,2012, na baada ya kumaliza masomo ya darasan nikaenda majaribia ya Kaz Landmark hotel ubungo Riverside, kwasababu ya kufanya Kaz vzr na kuheshim mkubwa na mdogo na kuwa na hofu ya mungu nabahatika kupata kaz pale pale landmark hotel mpaka mwaka 2017 mwezi wa nane nikapata tatizo la kifamilia la kumuuguza baba mzazi ambalo lilinipelekea kushindwa kuendelea na Kaz mpaka sasa baba ni marehem, Nilikuwa naomba kaz kwenye kampun yenu yeyote, mungu awabariki na wafanyie wepesi katika kunifiria katika ombi langu number zangu za cm 0716030619/ 0759212647