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)
