Bezos Earth Fund $1M Greenhouse Gas Removal Ideation Prize

Full Prize Details

Project Phases

The Bezos Earth Fund $1M Greenhouse Gas Removal (GHGR) Ideation Prize is structured in two distinct and dynamic phases, each designed to foster innovative solutions in the field of Greenhouse Gas Removal (GHGR). Below are the details of each phase:

Phase 1: Ideation and Proposal Submission

Timeline: Proposals submitted before February 1 are eligible for additional grant funding. The final deadline for proposals is March 1.

Prompt: In 3000 characters total (roughly 500 words):

• briefly identify a current or future challenge to scaling a greenhouse gas removal technology or technologies to multiple gigatons per year by mid-century and
• describe in detail an innovative solution for overcoming it.

Challenges and solutions can be wide-ranging (i.e. in the gas/technological realms of methane removal, nitrous oxide removal, or carbon dioxide removal related to air, rock, land, ocean; and across science & technology; policy & regulation; markets & finance; socio-behavioral & communities; and measurement, reporting, and verification).

Award Amount: Up to $4,000 for up to 50 top submissions. The breakdown is as follows:

$2,000 for being among the top 50 submissions.

Those winning submissions:

• Will receive an extra $1,000 for those meeting the early submission deadline.
• Will receive an extra $1,000 for filling out the survey linked in the primary submission form.

Note: There’s no requirement to complete Phase 2, even if selected as a Phase 1 winner (there’s an opt-in option in the submission form).

Phase 2: Validation and Experimentation

Timeline: April 2024 to September 2025

Prompt: Selected top applicants from Phase 1 will be invited to develop a more detailed proposal, in the form of a testable hypothesis or a technical implementation plan, detailing how they would use $50,000 to further validate and experiment with their solution. The focus is on advancing the path to solution deployment and contributing towards achieving approximately 10 gigatons/year removal by 2050.

Award Amount: Up to 12 of the top proposals will receive up to $50,000 each, applied towards their research budget.

Timeline

Evaluation Criteria

Given the diversity of potential solutions, our evaluation criteria are designed to be inclusive and adaptable to different types of proposals. Here are the key criteria:

1. Potential Impact

Scale of Effect: The proposed solution should have the potential to significantly contribute to the GHG removal target of approximately 10 gigatons/year by 2050.

Broad Application: Preference will be given to solutions that can be applied widely or have the potential for scalability.

2. Feasibility and Viability

Practicality: Proposals should be grounded in realistic, achievable goals with a clear path to implementation.

Resource Efficiency: Consideration of the resources required (e.g., energy, financial, time, materials) and their optimization.

3. Innovation and Originality

Creativity: Proposals should demonstrate a novel approach to a GHG removal challenge.

Advancement: Ideas should represent a significant advancement over current methods or practices in the field.

4. Clarity and Coherence

Problem Statement: Clear articulation of the GHG removal challenge or barrier being addressed.

Solution Description: A well-defined and coherent description of the proposed solution and its implementation.

5. Interdisciplinary and Integrative Approaches

Collaborative Potential: Solutions that demonstrate an understanding of interdisciplinary integration (e.g., combining policy with technology) will be highly regarded.

Stakeholder Engagement: Proposals that consider the role and impact on various stakeholders (e.g., communities, industries, governments) will be viewed favorably.

6. Environmental and Social Responsibility

Sustainability: Solutions should have a positive environmental impact and contribute to sustainable development goals. At a minimum, they will do no harm to existing natural systems and actively promote equitable and positive impacts on local communities.

Ethical Considerations: Proposals must adhere to high ethical standards and consider social implications.

7. Alignment with Program Goals

Consistency with GHG removal Objectives: Proposals should align with the overarching goals of the GHG removal Ideation Prize.

Eligibility

Who Can Apply?

We are committed to fostering a wide range of innovative ideas in the field of scaling technological Greenhouse Gas Removal (GHG removal), and proposed solutions can span innovation in science & technology; market & finance; policy & regulation; socio-behavioral & communities; and beyond. Our eligibility criteria are designed to encompass a diverse group of thinkers and innovators. The Innovation Prize is open to individuals (group submissions must designate a project lead) or non-profit institutions (including non-profit academic organizations). While we welcome ideas and solutions from for-profit companies, it is important to note that although these solutions may be selected and promoted as winners, these entities are ineligible to receive grant awards owing to the Experiment Foundation’s mandate to fund science for the public good.

Eligible Countries

Please be aware that some country restrictions apply due to regulatory and legal constraints. Applicants are advised to check if their country of residence or operation is eligible for participation in the GHG removal Ideation Prize. These restrictions are subject to change, and it is recommended to consult the latest information available on our website or contact us at ideas@experiment.com for clarification.

The eligible countries are: Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City (Holy See), Vietnam

FAQ

Please refer to the legal terms and conditions for extra details.

How many ideas can I submit?

You may submit up to 5 idea submissions.

How do I receive the money?

Award funds will be distributed through payouts to individuals or organizations. Following the announcement of prize awards, winners will be contacted for payout information.

How will IP ownership and disclosure work for submitted ideas?

Click here to view the full legal terms and conditions.

Are solutions such as afforestation and carbon capture at the source (e.g. CCS) eligible?

No.