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