US$100m global problem solving competition

ARE you ready to solve a problem? That’s the question the MacArthur Foundation is asking, as it offers US$100m for a proposal which could solve a critical global problem affecting people, places or the planet.

The competition, 100&Change, is open to both non-profit and for-profit organisations in “any field of endeavour” in any area of the world but is not open to individuals. Any proposal must contain details of the problem to be solved as well as how the applicant plans to solve it.

In a launch video, the foundation suggests many areas of endeavour applicable to chemical engineers, including climate change, food security, developing sustainable communities, health and diagnosis, malnutrition, and chronic disease, as well as areas such as population growth, economic inequality, preventing conflict and governance. However, proposals solving any problem will be considered.

A panel of expert judges will review each application, and proposals with a measurable impact will be favoured. Registration is open until 2 September 2016, while proposals will be accepted until 3 October. The panel will announce the semi-finalists in December. Each semi-finalist will receive assistance from a team of experts, who will question and advise applicants on technical matters and implementation. Finalists will be selected in the middle of 2017, while the winner will be selected at an event towards the end of the year.

“Solving society’s most pressing problems isn’t easy, but we believe it can be done. Potential solutions may go unnoticed or under resourced and are waiting to be brought to scale,” said MacArthur president Julia Stasch, adding: “Through 100&Change, we want to inspire, encourage, and support other people’s ideas, here in our hometown Chicago, across the nation and around the world, about how to address major challenges and enable real progress toward a solution.”

The John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation is one of the world’s largest charitable foundations, supporting projects in the arts and culture, media, economic development and community. Its stated aim is “to support creative people and effective institutions committed to building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world.” It is perhaps best known for its Fellowship programme offering awards to up to 25 US citizens a year for exceptional creative work, often referred to as ‘genius grants’, but supports non-profit organisations in 50 countries.

The new 100&Change competition will be run every three years.