XPRIZE Rapid COVID Testing Challenge

The XPrize Foundation is a non-profit organisation which designs and operates competitions with the aim of encouraging technological development for the benefit of mankind.

The XPRIZE Rapid COVID Testing competition is a $5 million (USD) challenge that aims to develop COVID-19 tests that are radically affordable and scalable. The tests will be equal to (or better than) commercial offerings at measuring sensitivity, specificity, and limit of detection, with a maximum turnaround time of 12 hours from sample to result.

The winning teams will also be able to successfully deploy and conduct a minimum of 500 tests per week at a live testing site within 60 days, and have the potential to scale their solutions to thousands of tests per week.

Given the complex technical nature of the competition, along with its rapid timeline, XPRIZE expects most entrants will already be working on solutions.

XPrize teams may consist of university groups, start-ups and innovators, small to medium-sized companies, individuals etc. They may be located anywhere in the world.

The team registration and qualifying submission deadline is 31 August 2020 (17:00 BST).

More information about this research funding opportunity and the application process is available on the RESEARCHconnect funding information platform. RESEARCHconnect provides up-to-the minute content, insight and analysis on research funding news and policy. To find out more about how RESEARCHconnect can keep you in the know, and subscription fees, contact us today.