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The concept of offering prizes to motivate inventors, scientists, explorers, and other pioneers has been in existence for a long time. One of the most notable instances occurred in 1927 when Charles Lindbergh claimed the Orteig Prize (named after Raymond Orteig, a New York hotel owner) and was awarded $25,000 for being the first aviator to fly non-stop from New York City to Paris. All of the challenges included in this list remain unsolved, with over $90 million in prize money still available. Let’s get to work, folks!
10. N-Prize Competition
Reward: $15,000
Challenge: Launch a satellite weighing between 9.99 and 19.99 grams into Earth's orbit, track it for at least nine orbits, and ensure the total launch cost does not exceed £999.99 (around $1500).
This challenge takes the number 10 spot not because of its difficulty, but due to the modest prize money. The N-Prize (N for Nanosatellite or Negligible Resources) was initiated in 2008 by Cambridge biologist Paul H. Dear to encourage innovations aimed at achieving low-cost access to space. To qualify for the prize, the winning team must complete the task before 19:19:09 (GMT) on 19 September 2011. The victorious team will earn £9,999.99 (around $15,000).
Interesting Fact: Many think the main challenge for competitors is once a satellite is in space, it needs to decelerate and be steered into orbit, which usually demands costly guidance systems and multiple rocket stages. So far, 18 teams have entered the N-Prize challenge. To learn more about the N-Prize or become the 19th competitor, you can visit here.
9. Marathon Kremer Prize
Reward: $95,000
Challenge: Fly a human-powered aircraft 26 miles around two turning points in under 1 hour.
The Kremer Prizes, established in 1959 by industrialist Henry Kremer, recognize innovators in human-powered flight. Dr. Paul MacCready won the first two prizes. The first, in 1977, was awarded when his Gossamer Condor, piloted by Bryan Allen, became the first human-powered aircraft to complete a figure-eight course around two markers half a mile apart. The second prize came in 1979 when his Gossamer Albatross, also piloted by Bryan Allen, flew from England to France. For the marathon challenge, the aircraft must start from rest, fly continuously for 26 miles within 60 minutes, and land in a manner acceptable to the observers. For further details and regulations for this prize, you can read more here.
Fun Fact: Another human-powered flight prize, the Sikorsky Prize, honors Igor Sikorsky's contributions to helicopter development. Established in 1980, this challenge offers $20,000 to the first individual who can fly a human-powered helicopter for 60 seconds and reach a height of 10 feet. If you're more inclined toward helicopters than fixed-wing aircraft, you can get your entry form here.
8. Prize4Life
Reward: $1 Million
Challenge: Reliably and effectively increase the lifespan of ALS mice by 25%.
Prize4Life is a non-profit organization focused on speeding up the discovery of treatments and a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Prize4Life has launched two major prizes, each offering $1 million, to address key challenges in developing treatments and a cure for ALS. The first prize sought the discovery of a biomarker that would reduce the time and cost of ALS clinical trials. The current challenge is aimed at finding a therapy that can extend the lifespan of ALS mice. Both prize competitions are open to everyone, and anyone with an interest is encouraged to participate.
Fun Fact: To date, Prize4Life has awarded $175,000 in smaller prizes for theoretical solutions and progress made in the Biomarker Prize Challenge. To learn more about Prize4Life, you can visit here.
7. In Vitro Meat Challenge
Reward: $1 Million
Challenge: Create an in vitro chicken-meat product that tastes and feels identical to real chicken flesh, appealing to both non-meat eaters and meat lovers. Manufacture the approved product in sufficient quantities for commercial sale and successfully sell it at a competitive price in at least 10 states by June 30, 2012.
In vitro meat (also known as cultured meat) involves producing meat products using tissue-engineering technology. The goal is to generate animal meat without the need to harm any animals. PETA is offering the $1 million prize, believing that cultured meat could offer financial, health, and environmental benefits compared to conventional meat. A panel of 10 PETA judges will assess the taste and texture of the in vitro chicken, prepared using a fried chicken recipe from VegCooking.com. To win, the in vitro chicken must score at least 80 points in the evaluation, and, of course, the judges must agree: 'It tastes like chicken.'
Fun Fact: In the late 1990s, researchers began experimenting with in vitro proteins as a way to provide food for astronauts on long space missions. In addition, animal-free in vitro meat could be part of the solution to global hunger. You can read the official contest rules here.
6. Green Flight Challenge
Reward: $1.5 Million
Challenge: Design an aircraft that can maintain an average speed of at least 100 mph during a 200-mile flight, while achieving more than 200 passenger miles per gallon.
NASA is funding this prize to encourage the development and integration of new technologies that will enhance the public acceptance, affordability, and safety of future air vehicles. Additional requirements include a short takeoff, silent operation, and the ability to drive on the ground. The aircraft must meet strict safety criteria, as well as reasonable speed and range. Competitors are prohibited from receiving government funding for their submissions in this challenge.
Fun Fact: This challenge is expected to feature electric, bio-fueled, and hybrid-powered aircraft. The competition won't take place until the summer of 2011, giving teams time to develop and test their aircraft. You can find more information about the rules and regulations for this competition here.
5. Lunar Lander Challenge
Reward: $1.65 Million
Challenge: Launch a vertical takeoff/vertical landing (VTVL) rocket capable of achieving the total delta-v required for a vehicle to travel between the Moon's surface and its orbit.
The Lunar Lander Challenge has been held annually since 2006. Sponsored by NASA and Northrop Grumman Corporation, the competition has two levels. Level one requires a rocket to take off from a designated area, ascend to a low fixed altitude, fly for at least 90 seconds, and land on a different pad. In level two, the rocket must fly for 180 seconds and land on a simulated lunar surface with craters and boulders. Each level must be repeated in reverse. Qualified teams can register for prize attempts on a first-come, first-served basis, with a small team of judges and observers meeting the participants at a venue of their choice. Registration is open until September 15, 2009. To date, three teams have registered.
Fun Fact: In 2008, Armadillo Aerospace from Mesquite, Texas, was awarded $350,000 for successfully completing Level 1. There is still an unclaimed $150,000 for second place. The winners of Level 2 will receive a $1 million first place prize and a $500,000 second place prize. You can watch a video of the 2008 challenge here.
4. Progressive Automotive X PRIZE
Prize: $10 Million
Challenge: Design and create production-ready vehicles that can achieve 100 MPG (miles per gallon energy equivalent), while appealing to buyers and fulfilling market demands in terms of price, size, safety, and performance.
The competition is divided into two vehicle categories: Mainstream, which includes typical small, five-passenger, economy vehicles for general use, and Alternative, which has fewer design and performance restrictions, allowing for more innovation. The Alternative category offers two separate $2.5 million prizes—one for side-by-side seating configurations and one for tandem seating. All vehicles must meet the same fuel economy and emission standards. Teams are also required to present a business plan that shows their capacity to produce 10,000 vehicles annually.
Interesting Fact: By the deadline of February 2009, 111 teams had registered for the competition. However, by July 8, 2009, the number had dropped to 95. The next phase includes design evaluations and performance testing, followed by the awarding of the challenge prizes. You can check out the list of registered teams and view pictures of some of the amazing cars here.
3. Google Lunar X Challenge
Prize: $30 Million
Challenge: The task is simple: land a robot safely on the Moon's surface, move it 500 meters across the lunar terrain, and transmit images and data back to Earth.
This prize aims to inspire private investment and the development of more affordable technologies and materials for space exploration. The first team to land on the Moon and complete all the mission goals will receive $20 million. The second team to do so will earn $5 million. Additionally, $5 million in bonus prizes will be distributed. The competition is organized by the X PRIZE Foundation and sponsored by Google. After December 31, 2012, the first prize will decrease to $15 million, with the final deadline for submission being December 31, 2014.
Interesting Fact: You can earn an extra $5 million bonus by achieving milestones such as traveling over 5,000 meters, photographing manmade objects on the Moon, detecting ice in one of the craters, uncovering remnants of Apollo program equipment, or surviving a lunar night. Before you form your Lunar X Prize team, it's a good idea to read more about the rules and competition guidelines here.
2. The Virgin Earth Challenge
Prize: $25 Million
Challenge: The challenge is to be the first individual or organization to develop a method for removing greenhouse gases from Earth's atmosphere to mitigate global warming.
It is estimated that approximately two hundred billion metric tons of carbon dioxide have accumulated in the atmosphere since the industrial revolution began. The Virgin Earth Challenge aims to inspire innovators to create a solution to reduce that amount and prevent the catastrophic consequences of global warming and rising sea levels that some scientific bodies have warned about. This challenge was conceived and funded by Sir Richard Branson and Al Gore. It will reward the first solution capable of eliminating one billion metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually over a span of 10 years. The prize consists of $5 million at the start of the carbon removal process, with the remaining $20 million paid upon the successful completion of the project at the end of the 10 years. If you're keen on saving the planet and winning $25 million, you can find the entry form and the Virgin Earth Challenge guidelines here.
Interesting Fact: One proposed solution to capture carbon dioxide involves artificial trees. These plastic trees are coated with a substance that absorbs carbon, allowing the gas to be safely collected and stored.
1. The Saltire Prize
Prize: $20 million
Challenge: Prove the commercial viability of wave or tidal energy technology in Scottish waters, generating a minimum of 100GWh of electricity over a continuous 2-year period, utilizing only the power of the sea.
The Saltire Prize is named after St. Andrew's cross, the symbol of Scotland's national flag, and represents an effort to harness the country’s abundant marine energy. It aims to jumpstart Scotland's marine renewable energy initiatives, helping them reach their goal of generating 50% of electricity from renewable sources by 2020. The winning team will be chosen based on the best overall technology, factoring in cost, environmental sustainability, and safety. Submissions for the Saltire Prize will remain open until June 2013, with the winner selected two years later.
Interesting Fact: Scotland has immense potential for renewable energy. It could generate 25% of Europe’s wind energy, 25% of tidal power, and 10% of wave power. You can check out a video about the Saltire Prize here.
+ Paranormal Prize Challenge
Prize: $1 Million
Challenge: Demonstrate, under appropriate observation conditions, clear evidence of any paranormal, supernatural, or occult powers.
This challenge is hosted by the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF). Randi stipulates that both parties must mutually agree on what constitutes a successful or failed test beforehand. To claim the prize, one must follow the testing protocol, show potential for success in a preliminary test with a foundation representative, and then perform a formal demonstration in front of independent witnesses. So far, over 1,000 applications have been submitted, but no one has passed the preliminary stage.
Interesting Fact: A well-known psychic once claimed that “Randi has powerful anti-psychic powers, and his mere presence is enough to suppress my own abilities” as a reason for avoiding the challenge. If you believe you possess supernatural or paranormal abilities and think you could win the $1 million, you can begin here with the official JREF application form.
