Yes! You read it right. You can win $100,000 for proposing an innovative idea to make the traditional condom ‘better’. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation which works for several charity works, and AIDS being one of them, has announced an initial funding of $100,000 up to $1 million for improving the present day condom, technically and/or culturally.

The conventional condom has not been changed much for last 50 years, barring the occasional flavoured, dotted and other such tweaks. According to studies and survey, most of the men do not want to wear condoms as it decreases the pleasure and sensation while intercourse. While the widespread fear of AIDS has encouraged the use of condoms, it still is not preferred by many.

Similar argument is for female condoms which require proper training for the usage, which is a bit more complicated than the male counterpart and thus acts as a deterrence in the acceptability of the use of condoms.

The idea behind this project is to get men wear the condom more often. As a side result, it will help in addressing a number of health and development issues such as STD, AIDS, population control. It will also help in indirectly handling several other issues which are the results of an over populated family such as malnutrition in children of a poor family.

Any one with an innovative idea can take this challenge, you don’t need to be a scientist for this task. As the challenge suggests:

Additional concepts that might increase (condom usage) uptake include attributes that increase ease-of-use for male and female condoms, for example better packaging or designs that are easier to properly apply. In addition, attributes that address and overcome cultural barriers are also desired.

You have an idea for a new, better condom? Feel free to apply for it here.