Card 6 of 10 relating to the Longitude Prize: ‘Solve the greatest challenges facing the world today’, created by the Nesta Foundation, London, 2014

Opening on 22 May 2014, a public vote was held by Nesta to determine which of six significant challenges facing the world that would be the focus of a £10 million prize fund.

The options were:

How can we fly without damaging our environment?

How can we ensure everyone has nutritious and sustainable food?

How can we prevent the rise of resistance to antibiotics?

How can we restore movement to those with paralysis?

How can we ensure everyone has access to safe and clean water?

How can we help people with dementia live independently for longer?

On 24 June 2014, the results were announced on BBC One’s The One Show by Professor Alice Roberts with antimicrobial resistance being the winner. On average antibiotics extend people’s lives by 20 years, but the threat of antibiotic resistance is a global issue. Mis-use and over-use of antibiotics both in human and animal care are all contributing factors.

Submissions for the Prize closed on 30 September 2022. Entries must develop a point–of–care diagnostic must be accurate, rapid (within 30 minutes), safe, affordable and easy to use anywhere in the world. £8 million was awarded to the winner, Sysmex Astrego in June 2024. The Longitude Prize has provided over £2 million in Discovery Award grants and to support the development of innovations which may be contenders for the Prize.

The Prize commemorates the 300th anniversary of the Longitude Act where in 1714 the British asked for solution to pinpoint a ship’s location at sea by knowing its longitude.