New game-changing condom sought

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle is asking students, scientists and entrepreneurs to design a game-changing next-generation condom. "To overcome persistent health and development problems, we need new, game-changing ideas," Chris Wilson, director of Global Health Discovery & Translational Science at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said in a statement. "Inspiration can come from anywhere and we are hopeful that this new round of Grand Challenges Explorations will uncover innovative approaches to improve lives around the world." Since 2008, the Grand Challenges Explorations initiative funded more than 800 grants in 52 countries. The program welcomes proposals from a broad spectrum of contributors, and encourages cross-discipline approaches. Anyone with a transformative idea is invited to submit an easy, online, two-page application to the foundation, Wilson said. In addition to a new condom, the foundation is looking for proposals for: -- One Health: Bringing together human and animal health for new solutions. -- Labor saving strategies and innovations for women smallholder farmers. -- New approaches for detection, treatment and control of selected neglected tropical diseases. Proposals are being accepted at www.grandchallenges.org through May 7.