Health Security & Pandemics Challenge from MIT Solve

Over $1.5 million in prize funding is available for Solve’s 2020 Global Challenges, including Health Security & Pandemics.

Deadline to Submit a Solution on June 18, 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is the latest in a series of infectious disease emergencies, including cholera, Ebola, SARS, Chikungunya, HIV/AIDS, and influenza. While scientists and drug developers, with support from governments and multilateral organizations, have been rushing to produce, test, and deliver vaccines and treatments, tech innovators also have a crucial role to play, both in the near term and to prevent and mitigate future disease outbreaks.

In the near term, we need improved solutions for prevention, accurate detection, and rapid response. MIT Solve is seeking tech innovations that can slow and track the spread of an emerging outbreak, for example by improving individual hygiene, developing low-cost rapid diagnostics, analyzing data that informs decision making, and providing tools that support and protect health workers.

At the same time, we cannot solely treat disease outbreaks reactively. Climate change and globalization leave us ever more vulnerable to future epidemics and pandemics, and it’s critical to be prepared. Solve is also seeking solutions that focus on preventative and mitigation measures that strengthen access to affordable primary healthcare systems, enhance disease surveillance systems, and improve healthcare supply chains.

Solver Funding

All solutions selected for Solve’s five current Global Challenges will receive a $10,000 grant funded by Solve. Solver teams will be selected by a panel of cross-sector judges at Solve Challenge Finals during UN General Assembly week in New York City on September 20, 2020.

In addition to Solve funding, the following prizes are available to Solver teams selected for the Health Security & Pandemics Challenge. To be considered for a prize, complete the prize-specific question within the application. You do not need to meet these requirements to apply to the Health Security & Pandemics Challenge:
The Elevate Prize for Health Security

The Elevate Prize for Health Security will be awarded to one Solver team from the Health Security & Pandemics Challenge. This prize is supported by The Elevate Prize Foundation, which recognizes that there are heroes all over the world who are putting their health and safety at risk to treat those who are infected and to save lives. Now more than ever, it is critical to recognize and uplift those who are elevating humanity. The Solver team that is selected will be named an Elevate Prize Global Hero and will participate in both the MIT Solver program and the Elevate Prize Global Heroes program, receiving a minimum of $300,000 over two years and ongoing support from The Elevate Prize Foundation and MIT Solve. Eligibility requirements for this prize are here (“Who can apply to The Elevate Prize?”).

The AI for Humanity Prize

The AI for Humanity Prize is open to solutions that are already using strong data science, artificial intelligence, or machine learning to benefit humanity, and to solutions that are not yet using these technologies but plan to do so to amplify their impact in the future. This prize is made possible by The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, which is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and our global community through neuroscience research and information technology. Up to $200,000 will be granted across several Solver teams from any of Solve’s current Global Challenges.

Innovation for Women Prize

Solutions that use innovative technology to improve the quality of life for women and girls are eligible for the Innovation for Women Prize. This prize is funded by the Vodafone Americas Foundation, which supports technology-focused projects that advance the needs of women and girls, and that promotes a world where women’s voices can be celebrated. Up to $75,000 will be granted across up to three Solver teams from any of Solve’s current Global Challenges.
The Andan Prize for Innovation in Refugee Inclusion

The Andan Prize for Innovation in Refugee Inclusion is open to solutions that advance the economic, financial, and political inclusion of refugees. The prize is funded by Andan Foundation, a Swiss non-profit foundation dedicated to supporting solutions that promote refugee resilience, self-reliance, and integration. Up to $100,000 will be granted to up to four eligible Solver teams from across any of Solve’s current Global Challenges.

The People’s Prize

This prize is supported by The People’s Prize, which celebrates and crowdfunds innovative achievements for the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Up to three Health Security & Pandemics Solver teams will be selected at Solve Challenge Finals in September. The People’s Prize will match up to $200,000 of crowd funds raised by the Solver teams, awarding up to $100,000 to the Solver with the most funds raised in October; up to $60,000 to the second most; and up to $40,000 to the third most. All three teams will receive promotional support from the People’s Prize to prepare them for the crowdfunding process.