The Global Development Network (GDN) has designed the Global Development Awards Competition 2025. The Global Development Awards Competition (GDAC) is the flagship annual program of the Global Development Network (GDN), aimed at empowering researchers and development practitioners from the Global South. The competition recognizes talent, funds innovative social development projects, and strengthens the careers of early and mid-career professionals working to uplift marginalized communities in developing countries.

Winners not only receive grant funding but may also become eligible for further opportunities, such as the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF) Scale-Up Grant or the Collaborative Grant (CG), which offer sustained support and growth beyond the initial award.

Since 2000, GDAC has awarded nearly $4 million in grants, reaching over 8,800 participants from low- and middle-income countries and conferring more than 200 awards. GDAC receives up to 400 submissions each year, with finalists selected through a rigorous multi-stage review process that includes expert feedback and mentoring. Finalists present their proposals at the Global Development Conference, where a scientific jury selects winners across two categories: Outstanding Research on Development (ORD) and Most Innovative Development Project (MIDP).

2025 Theme: Digital Transformation for Universal Health Coverage

This year’s competition focuses on how digital health solutions can improve access, affordability, and quality in healthcare, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It highlights the importance of combining research and innovation to scale digital interventions that advance universal health coverage.

 Award Categories

Below are the two main categories of the Global Development Awards Competition (GDAC):

1. Japanese Award for Outstanding Research on Development (ORD):
Open to social science researchers from LMICs with proposals that build evidence on how digital tools enhance health access. Grants range from $10,000 to $30,000, plus mentoring support.

2. Japanese Award for Most Innovative Development Project (MIDP):
Open to NGOs and CSOs with ongoing projects implementing or evaluating digital healthcare solutions in underserved areas. Grants range from $25,000 to $50,000, plus mentoring support.

Details

• Awarding institution: Global Development Network (GDN)
• Country of the award ceremony/training: India
• Eligible Countries: Low and Middle-Income Countries
• Focus Areas: Social Development Projects

Important Dates for ORD Category:

• Submission Deadline: June 18, 2025, 6 p.m. India Standard Time
• Eligibility Screening Results: June 20, 2025
• Shortlist Announcement & Reviewer Comments: July 18, 2025
• Updated Application Resubmission (Shortlisted Applicants): July 25, 2025
• Finalist Announcement & Reviewer Comments: August 22, 2025
• Updated Application Resubmission (Finalists): August 29, 2025
• Finalists Announced: September 5, 2025
• Winners Announced: November 2025

Important Dates for MIDP Category:

• Submission Deadline: June 18, 2025, 6 p.m. India Standard Time
• Eligibility Screening Results: June 20, 2025
• Phase 1 – Desk Review Results (1st Shortlist): July 14, 2025
• Phase 2 – Business Review Results (2nd Shortlist): August 4, 2025
• Phase 3 – Site Visits (2nd Shortlist): August 4–20, 2025
• Finalists Announced: September 1, 2025
• Winners Announced: November 2025

Eligible Countries

The following are the low and middle-income countries:

Low-Income Economies:
Afghanistan, Korea, Dem. People’s Rep, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Sudan, Burundi, Madagascar, Syrian Arab Republic, Central African Republic, Malawi, Togo, Chad, Mali, Uganda, Congo, Dem. Rep, Mozambique, Yemen, Rep., Eritrea, Niger, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Gambia, The, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, Somalia

Lower-Middle-Income Economies:
Angola, Honduras, Papua New Guinea, Bangladesh, India, Philippines, Benin, Jordan, Samoa, Bhutan, Kenya, São Tomé and Principe, Bolivia, Kiribati, Senegal, Cabo Verde, Kyrgyz Republic, Solomon Islands, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Sri Lanka, Cameroon, Lebanon, Tajikistan, Comoros, Lesotho, Tanzania, Congo, Rep., Mauritania, Timor-Leste, Côte d’Ivoire, Micronesia, Fed. Sts., Tunisia, Djibouti, Morocco, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Arab Rep., Myanmar, Vanuatu, Eswatini, Nepal, Vietnam, Ghana, Nicaragua, West Bank and Gaza, Guinea, Nigeria, Zambia, Haiti, Pakistan, Zimbabwe

Benefits

ORD Category (Outstanding Research on Development):

• First Prize: US$30,000
• Second Prize: US$20,000
• Third Prize: US$10,000

CG Category (Collaborative Grant):

• Up to US$20,000 for a collaborative project to support scale-up efforts using research-based evidence for the JSDF project

MIDP Category (Most Innovative Development Project):

• First Prize: US$50,000 (awarded to two winners)
• Second Prize: US$25,000

JSDF Category (Japan Social Development Fund):

• Up to US$200,000 for the scale-up of a MIDP project

Additional benefits for Applicants and Winners:

• Access to preparatory webinars to boost success in GDAC and similar competitions
• Prize funding to implement research or scale impactful projects for marginalized communities
• Communication training to effectively present ideas to diverse audiences
• Expert mentoring throughout project implementation
• Membership in a global network of past GDAC and GDN grantees to foster future collaborations

Eligibility Criteria

Below are the category-specific requirements for applicants:

Requirements for ORD:

• Open to citizens or permanent residents of World Bank-classified low- and middle-income countries.
• Proof of citizenship/residency may be required at any stage.
• Applicants who have resided in non-eligible countries for more than five years (as of Jan 1, 2026) are not eligible.
• Applicants must be 45 years old or younger by December 31, 2025.
• Other sources must not fund proposals unless additional funds are justified.
• Staff of multilateral/bilateral agencies (e.g., World Bank, IMF, UN) are not eligible.
• Former GDN or Regional Network Partner employees must wait 5 years post-tenure to apply.
• Former GDN board members, mentors, and evaluators are not eligible.
• Proposals based on previously GDN-funded work are not allowed.
• Past ORD winners and finalists cannot apply with the same or a similar proposal.
• Past ORD winners must wait 3 years after their agreement ends to reapply.
• All forms of plagiarism, including self-plagiarism, are strictly prohibited and may result in disqualification.

Requirements for MIDP:

• Open to countries classified by the World Bank as low- or middle-income.
• Projects must comply with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs).
• Must be managed by a registered non-profit NGO or CSO headquartered in an eligible country.
• The project must have started implementation on or before June 1, 2024, with proof of ongoing activities.
• Projects that are only ideas, recently started, or feasibility/baseline studies are not eligible.
• Funding for conferences (partially or fully) is not eligible.
• Previous applicants (excluding winners) may reapply with an updated application.
• Previous MIDP winners are not eligible to apply.

How to apply?

To apply, follow the steps below:

• Go to the official GDAC application portal using the Apply Now button below:
• Register or log in. Verify your profile via the confirmation email to proceed.
  • On your profile, go to Applications > Funding Opportunities to start a new application or Applications > In Progress to resume.
  • Complete the automated eligibility check to access the full proposal.
  • To access and edit the proposal, collaborators must accept the invitation and complete their form under Collaboration Forms and Applications > Action Required.
  • Only the latest of multiple entries will be considered; one proposal per applicant.
• Enter team members’ names and emails under the Collaborators tab, then click “Invite.” Monitor their acceptance status.
• Complete all sections and upload the required documents. Incomplete applications won’t be submitted.
• Click Submit to finalize your application. You’ll receive a confirmation email with a copy of your submission.

Apply Now 

Evaluation Criteria and Selection Overview

Review Criteria for ORD Category:

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

Academic Quality:

• Research question clarity
• Methodology and literature review quality
• Originality and ethical standards

Policy Relevance:

• Clear link to development outcomes
• Relevance to policy processes

Feasibility:

• Realistic timeline and budget
• Strength of the research team

Selection Process:

A multi-stage blind review will ensure unbiased evaluation:

Initial Screening: GDN staff check eligibility, originality, and coherence.

External Reviews:

• • Lot 1: First-level reviewers assess and shortlist proposals, considering gender bias mitigation. Based on feedback, shortlisted candidates can revise their proposals.
  • Lot 2: Expert reviewers conduct a deeper evaluation. A Panel Organiser validates the final ranking.

Final Selection: The ORD High-Level Jury selects the winners after a public project presentation. Their decision is final.

Note: Refer to the official call for detailed information.

Review Criteria for MPID Category:

Proposals will be judged using the following key criteria:

Phase 1 Focus Areas:

Priority is given to:

• Innovative approaches
• Clear development objectives
• Sustainable social impact
• Expansion potential
• Cost efficiency

Phases 2 & 3:

All criteria are considered:

• Innovative Approaches: Unique, bottom-up solutions involving local actors and target groups through participatory design.
• Clear Objectives & Measurable Results: Defined goals, realistic plans, participatory M&E, and a one-year implementation timeline.
• Sustainable Social Impact: Long-term poverty reduction, local ownership, skill-building, and empowerment of communities.
• Expansion Potential: Replicability and adaptability across regions/sectors with potential for scale using award funds.
• Cost Efficiency: Justified cost relative to measurable impact and outcomes.
• Risk Assessment: Identification and mitigation of significant risks.
• Resource Management: Sound policies for effectively using financial and human resources.
• Transparency & Accountability: Regular, open progress sharing, especially with key stakeholders.
• Environmental & Social Compliance: Alignment with the World Bank’s ESF/ESS standards and exclusion list.

Note: Projects in low-income countries are given priority, followed by lower-middle-income countries (per the World Bank classification).

Selection Process:

A three-phase review will determine finalists:

1. Preliminary Screening by GDN.
2. Independent Review by the MIDP Reviewer:

• • Phase 1: Focus on innovation, impact, scalability, and efficiency. Top 10 shortlisted.
  • Phase 2: In-depth review of all criteria with interviews and additional documents. Top 6 shortlisted.
  • Phase 3: Final review with interviews, references, and possible site visits. Top 3 selected.

Each applicant receives written feedback from the MIDP Reviewer.

3. Final Selection: The MIDP High-Level Jury decides after the finalists’ public presentations. The jury evaluates each project’s merit and expansion potential.

Note: Refer to the official call for detailed information.

Further details and information are available on the official GDN website.

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