Biden Administration Launches
$500,000 Mask Innovation Contest.
On Wednesday, the Biden administration
announced a $500,000 contest to bolster involvement
in the United States’ ongoing fight against COVID-19. .
Inventors are being
encouraged to submit
designs for effective
everyday face masks. .
The contest is looking for designs
that are both “effective and comfortable”
in order to encourage more people to wear masks. .
We know that properly and consistently
worn face masks help reduce the spread
of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory
infections, but many people are reluctant
to wear them for a variety of reasons, Nikki Bratcher-Bowman, HHS acting Assistant Secretary
for Preparedness and Response, via Complex.
The contest is in partnership with the Biomedical
Advanced Research and Development Authority and the
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
It will be carried out in two phases: the first phase
asks for designs that meet “specific criteria”
and solve the “hurdles” of wearing a mask. .
Up to 10 ideas will be selected
to split a $100,000 prize. .
Participants in phase two will be required to
pitch prototypes that meet criteria on filtration,
fit, comfort and large-scale manufacturing. .
Up to five winners will be chosen
to split that $400,000 prize.
The winners will also receive access to Biomedical
Advanced Research and Development Authority resources
in order to finish their pitched prototypes