Bill Gates offering $100,000 in challenge to make condoms better. Asking Anyone To Think Beyond The Box. 'What if we could develop one that was preferred to no condom?'

By Jessica Montoya Coggins
PUBLISHED:00:59 EST, 24 March 2013| UPDATED:00:59 EST, 24 March 2013

The inventor of Microsoft has turned his attention in a much different direction!

The Gates Foundation is offering one inventor $100,000 to improve one of life's most recognizable products: the condom.

The task has been set forth through the Grand Challenges in Global Health Program and applications go until May for a 'Next Generation Condom that significantly preserves or enhances pleasure, in order to improve uptake and regular use.'

Recently 'Forbes' Magazine declared Gates the second wealthiest person on the planet with an estimated net worth of $67 billion

The Gates Foundation estimates that 15 billion units are sold during a year with 750 million people using condoms worldwide

Since 2008 more than 800 grants have been awarded to fifty countries.

They have been as far-reaching as finding a cure for HIV to using a microwave frequency to combat Malaria.

Many philanthropists have praised the Gates Foundation for targeting specific scientific or medical goals that achieve results.

In summarizing the rationale for the 'Next Generation Condom,' the grant-givers note that there has not been much innovation in the field.

'Condoms have been in use for about 400 years yet they have undergone very little technological improvement in the past 50 years.'

The benefits of using a condom are numerous. In addition to preventing pregnancy or STDs, condoms are relatively inexpensive.

However, the Foundation recognizes not everyone is going to see the upside towards protection.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is one of the most respected philanthropic organizations in the world and strives to cure diseases such as Malaria and HIV

Bill Gates (second from the left) speaks at the annual AIDS Conference on July 23, 2012 in Washington, DC.

'The primary drawback from the male perspective is that condoms decrease pleasure as compared to no condom, creating a trade-off that many men find unacceptable, particularly given that the decisions about use must be made just prior to intercourse. Is it possible to develop a product without this stigma, or better, one that is felt to enhance pleasure?'

Applications are currently being accepted for this eleventh round but not every proposal will be considered for the prize.

For example, the Gates Foundation will not be funding any plans that include 'exclusively non-technological, social, or educational intervention,' or 'concepts that would sacrifice the value of condoms for prevention of either unplanned pregnancy or HIV infection,' among other requirements.

The Gates Foundation is asking anyone to think beyond the box (or the rubber). 'What if we could develop one that was preferred to no condom?'

Would-be inventors who don't have a clue how to improve a condom have other avenues for working with the Gates Foundation, however.
Other topics that the Grand Challenges in Global Health are looking for include a 'One Health' concept that would combine human and veterinary medicine and 'increasing interoperability of social good data.'