Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) supports the piloting and rigorous testing of innovative approaches to solving international development problems and supports transitioning innovations with evidence of impact and cost effectiveness to scale. DIV’s aim is to create a portfolio of innovations that improves lives for millions of the poor around the world, especially individuals in poverty or extreme poverty, and other vulnerable groups.
DIV funds innovation that targets USAID’s Mission Statement.1 Innovations could include new technologies, new ways of delivering and/or financing goods and services, more cost-effective adaptations of existing solutions, new ways to increase uptake of existing proven solutions, or policy innovations based on insights from behavioral economics. The more funding requested, the more confidence DIV will need in the evidence base underpinning the innovation. This includes gathering appropriate evidence of impact and/or commercial viability at each stage and for each type of scale path. Solutions must have a potential pathway to scale, either a) commercially; or b) through incorporation into the practices of developing country governments, donors, or philanthropists; or c) through a combination of commercial and public/philanthropic support. Innovations should ultimately reach sustainability without continuing DIV support.
DIV funds innovation that targets USAID’s Mission Statement.1 Innovations could include new technologies, new ways of delivering and/or financing goods and services, more cost-effective adaptations of existing solutions, new ways to increase uptake of existing proven solutions, or policy innovations based on insights from behavioral economics. The more funding requested, the more confidence DIV will need in the evidence base underpinning the innovation. This includes gathering appropriate evidence of impact and/or commercial viability at each stage and for each type of scale path. Solutions must have a potential pathway to scale, either a) commercially; or b) through incorporation into the practices of developing country governments, donors, or philanthropists; or c) through a combination of commercial and public/philanthropic support. Innovations should ultimately reach sustainability without continuing DIV support.
DIV employs a staged funding model, with size of investment commensurate with evidence of potential for success. DIV recognizes that organizations supported will need flexibility to iterate and adapt innovations and DIV strives to provide this flexibility.
To attract the best innovations, applications on all development topics and sectors2 are welcome. DIV welcomes applications from any organization eligible under D.2. below, provided their work will take place in a country where USAID operates.
There are several types of projects that are not a good fit for DIV’s objectives. This includes standard development practice (e.g. building schools), basic scientific research (e.g. laboratory research), a planning tool or diagnostic that is unlikely to result in measurable development impacts, innovations that are applicable only in very limited context, or private sector applications to expand businesses in developing countries that are unlikely to lead to significant development impacts.
Awards under this APS will be made to Apparently Successful Partners on the basis of their ability to further USAID’s goal of dramatically improving or saving the lives of the poor in developing countries and reflect DIV’s core principles, and that provide the best value to the Government to substantially contribute to these objectives.
Eligibility Information. Public, private, for-profit, and nonprofit organizations, as well as institutions of higher education, public international organizations, non-governmental organizations, U.S. and non-U.S. governmental organizations, multilateral and international donor organizations are eligible under this APS. All organizations must be determined to be responsive to the APS and sufficiently responsible to perform or participate in the final award.
USAID will not accept applications from individuals. All applicants must be legally recognized organizational entities under applicable law. Local organizations are eligible and encouraged to apply, as well as consortia of local organizations. Participation of foreign government organizations under this APS is possible only through an approved subaward agreement with a prime recipient.
