Longitude Prize 2014: solving one of the greatest issues of our time
19 May 2014 02:37 PM
The £10 million
prize fund for the winner is run by Nesta and launch-funded by the Technology
Strategy Board.
How did it come
about?
Longitude Prize
2014 marks the 300th anniversary of the Longitude Act where in 1714
the British government set out the scientific challenge of how to pinpoint a
ship’s location at sea. This was solved by watchmaker John Harrison who
designed the chronometer, the first seafaring clock that allowed accurate
navigation. The solution not only led to safer sea travel but opened up global
trade.
The Longitude Prize
today
Over the last 2 years Nesta and Astronomer Royal Lord Martin Rees have organised a committee to
bring the new prize to life and identify some of the main challenges facing us
today. The Longitude
Committee has shortlisted6 major issues facing the
world. The whole of the UK can now get involved and have their say in
deciding which should be the focus of Longitude Prize 2014. The Technology Strategy
Board is the launch funding partner for the prize.
The vote takes place between 22
May and 25 June, and will be held by theBBC on its Horizon
website and by text. You can also sign up to a
newsletter to keep up to date on the latest news. The winner will be
announced on 25 June and will become the focus of the £10 million prize
fund.
The challenges are as
follows:
- flight: how can we fly without
damaging the environment?
- food: how can we ensure everyone
has nutritious, sustainable food?
- antibiotics: how can we prevent
the rise of resistance to antibiotics?
- paralysis: how can we restore
movement to those with paralysis?
- water: how can we ensure
everyone can have access to safe and clean water?
- dementia: how can we help people
with dementia to live independently for longer?
Minister for Universities and
Science, David Willetts, said:
This prize will challenge
scientists to tackle one of today’s greatest scientific problems. What
makes this prize so innovative however, is that the public will be given the
power to decide which area of science and society will benefit from this
funding.
This is everyone’s
opportunity to play a part in what could be the next scientific
milestone.