Bill Gates Offers $100,000 Grant To Create A Better Condom

Bill Gates is on a crusade: to change the way we think about condoms. The computer mogul and entrepreneur recently announced he could be handing out a $100,000 grant to anyone who can create a condom that is a true game changer and that increases pleasure to the individuals who wear them.

The thought is that if condoms are actually pleasant to use, more individuals will make the effort to use the pieces of equipment. At least, that’s what documents related to the grant from The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation state. Additionally, the grant may look for condom benefits that include better packaging, designs that increase “ease-of-use,” or ideas that “overcome cultural barriers.” I wonder if the cute packaging of endangered species condoms could make a bid?

The potential condom grant is only one idea out of several that the Gates Foundation is challenging individuals and teams to pursue via the Foundations Grand Challenges Exploration initiative. If you think you have a good idea, submitting it is easy. All you have to do is turn in a 2-page application. Other topics the Foundation is encouraging people to pursue include ideas for women smallholder farmers to save on labor, as well as bringing together human and animal health, and coming up with new approaches for tropical diseases. While each of these is worthy in its own way, the condom creation topic is certainly the most eye-catching.

Besides, if condoms were easier and more fun to use, theoretically this could help with the HIV problem worldwide The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation spends plenty of time fighting, as well as help the world fight other sexually transmitted diseases. Overall, it’s an ambitious but worthy goal.

Applications will be accepted through May 7.

Photo Credit@ Shutterstock/ Deklofenak