The D-Prize funds pilot projects that more widely distribute relatively low-cost products and services in the fight against poverty. The current challenges include social enterprises for innovations in specified themes of agriculture; energy; WASH; and several other categories. The D-Prize will award 30 teams with up to US$20 thousand each to launch nonprofits or social ventures that can distribute proven poverty interventions to people in need. Eligibility to compete extends to entrepreneurs anywhere in the world and of any age or background. The D-Prize invites concept notes before 25 October (early deadline); 15 November (regular deadline); or 06 December 2026 (limited extension). Link to D-Prize
social enterprise
University of Delaware — Diamond Challenge for High School Entrepreneurs
The Diamond Challenge seeks social innovations that solve a social problem and make a positive impact on people or the environment. Teams must consist of 2-4 high school students typically between 14-18 years of age and have one adult advisor (21 years of age or older). The winners will receive a prize package worth over US$12 thousand. Finalists receive access to our Diamond Challenge Summit, automatic entry into our summer accelerator and accelerator scholarships. Concepts have to be submitted before 14 January 2027. Link to the challenge
Tara for Women — Cash Awards for Women-Led Impact Startups
Tara for Women invites women-led, seed-stage startups worldwide to apply for Tara’s Circle, awarding €20,000 per thematic area (€10,000/€6,000/€4,000 for 1st–3rd place) across five areas, one of which is Sustainability, Environment & Mobility. Applicants must be women aged 18+, founder or co-founder, with a defined or functional MVP. Open internationally, though fund disbursement depends on applicable legal and sanctions restrictions. The deadline is 17 September 2026. Cash Awards for Women
F. M. Kirby Foundation — Social Impact Prize
F. M. Kirby Impact Prize is an annual global prize of US$150 thousand that amplifies and accelerates the work of enterprises working to scale their impact on social or environmental problems around the world. Applicants must have strong evidence of impact over at least 3 years and a plan for how to use the prize to scale that impact in the next 3-5 years. The prize is open to nonprofit, for-profit, or hybrid organizations working anywhere in the world. The deadline for applications is 02 December 2026. Know more
Gray Matters Capital — coLABS Impact Investing Fund
coLABS seeks scalable social enterprises that have the potential to dramatically improve the lives of women and girls around the world. coLABS strategically funds entrepreneurs and early-stage ventures that leverage women, and their critical role in the community through revenue-share investment capital. Seed investment ranges from US$100 thousand to US$250 thousand. Focus regions are South Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Pre-screen forms can be submitted on a rolling basis. Details
AU-EU Youth Lab — Innovation Grants for Youth-Led Organisations
The AU-EU Youth Action Lab invites youth-led nonprofit organisations to apply for Innovation Grants of €42,000 to design, test, or scale innovative solutions to global challenges. Eligible organisations must be legally registered, 100% youth-led in governance (ages 18–35), and based and operating in one of twelve countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia (Somaliland), Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, or Zimbabwe. The deadline is 23 September 2026. Innovation Grants
AU-EU Youth Lab — Entrepreneurship Grants for Youth-Led Social Enterprises
The AU-EU Youth Action Lab invites youth-led organisations and consortia to apply for Entrepreneurship Grants of €31,500 to support the growth of youth-led social enterprises addressing economic opportunity for young people. Eligible organisations must be youth-led (ages 18–35) and based in one of twelve African focus countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia (Somaliland), Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, or Zimbabwe. The deadline is 23 September 2026. Entrepreneurship Grants
Welthungerhilfe — Global Food System Challenge
Welthungerhilfe and the Seeding The Future Foundation invite nonprofits, academic institutions, and early-stage for-profit or social enterprises worldwide to submit food-system innovations to the 6th Annual Global Food System Challenge, particularly addressing challenges in the Global South. Three award tiers are available: Seed Grants (US$25,000, up to eight awarded, for early prototypes), Growth Grants (US$100,000, up to three awarded), and Grand Prizes (US$250,000, up to two awarded). Eligible applicants are organizations, not individuals, from any country. Applications open 1 January 2027; the deadline is 15 February 2027. Global Food System Challenge
Charity Entrepreneurship — Seed Funding to Launch an Animal Welfare Charity
Charity Entrepreneurship invites applications for a round of its Incubation Program dedicated entirely to animal welfare. The program consists of a boot camp open to individuals who want to create, start, and operate an effective charity. Applicants may come from any country and any professional background. The program is entirely free: it fully covers tuition, materials, and travel, and pays a stipend of US$2,000 to US$10 thousand a month based on individual need, including for dependents or high-cost locations. The deadline to apply is 13 September 2026. Charity Entrepreneurship
Global Resilience Partnership — Climate Resilience Awards
The Climate Resilience Awards for Business recognize businesses worldwide for their measurable contributions to climate resilience in operations, supply chains, or communities. The awards seek to identify and celebrate businesses who are taking action to assess and ensure future resilience to climate change and broader physical risks for themselves, their supply chains and their communities. Finalists and winners will gain online recognition and potential networking opportunities. The application deadline is 30 September 2026. Climate Resilience Awards