Innovations in Materials Science for a Transformative Menstrual Health and Hygiene Product

Deadline: 2020-04-22
Award: $100,000
Open to: Everyone*

Fundamental changes in menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) products are needed to meet the needs of women and girls in low and middle income countries (LMIC) who face challenges with regard to their overall menstrual health and to managing their menstrual periods with dignity.

Challenges can range from social stigma, lack of clean water for basic hygiene, and ineffective, inadequate, or expensive products.

Key characteristics of MHH products for women and girls include effectiveness, safety, discretion, sustainability, and affordability. There are currently problems with all available options and up to 88% of women resort to homemade alternative products.

This Grand Challenge opportunity is focused exclusively on the product innovation domain. We are particularly seeking new technologies, including those potentially used in adjacent fields such as materials science, that could be adapted to innovative MHH products.