Sensis, on behalf of The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), is hosting the Detect to Protect Challenge: A Live Animal Test for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The challenge invites innovators to submit their idea for a diagnostic test for the early detection of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a live animal, prior to clinical signs.
Our goal is to inspire the innovative development of a novel diagnostic test that will successfully detect CWD in samples provided by USDA for this challenge. Competitive solutions to this challenge shall consist of novel diagnostic tests that are sensitive and specific for CWD, producing timely and repeatable results on samples easily obtained from live deer. Competitive solutions will also be cost-effective and readily manufacturable. The ideal solutions to this challenge are diagnostic tests that would be eligible for approval as an official Chronic Wasting Disease test by the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), USDA.
Sensis will award prizes valued up to $170,000. The Detect to Protect Challenge: A Live Animal Test is calling upon innovators and scientists, researchers, and/or startup companies to submit their proposal for developing a novel diagnostic test for the early detection of CWD in a live animal, prior to clinical signs.
Read about the problem, submission requirements, and eligibility terms to participate in this prize challenge. Complete the registration form to set up your participant profile.
Learn about the Phase 1 submission requirements then submit your idea.
Log-in and complete your submission on the challenge platform by May 7, 2021.
Phase 1 total prize pool: $70,000
Phase 2 total prize pool: $100,000
Win cash awards to develop proof-of-concept and expand your network.
Win prizes and the opportunity to work with USDA experts to develop your novel live-animal diagnostic or laboratory test.