Caleb Kraft interviewed Sam Ortega from NASA, Sam explains how the prize competitions at NASA work. Anyone can submit designs for their competitions but only US citizens can win the prize money.
“NASA Centennial Challenges were initiated in 2005 to directly engage the public in the process of advanced technology development. The program offers incentive prizes to generate revolutionary solutions to problems of interest to NASA and the nation. The program seeks innovations from diverse and non-traditional sources. Competitors are not supported by government funding and awards are only made to successful teams when the challenges are met.”