- Reclamation
- R&D
- Prize Competitions
Prize Competitions
Prize Competitions spur innovation by engaging a non-traditional solver community. Competitions can complement traditional research and target Reclamation’s most persistent science and technology challenges. Competitions use prizes to incentivize solvers to submit solutions and are open to a solver community that includes members of the public, businesses, and other organizations.
PRIZE COMPETITION - LAUNCH
Reclamation launched a new prize competition to detect subsurface cracks in embankment dams
(March 12, 2026) The Bureau of Reclamation launched Crack the Case, a multi-phased prize competition, to develop methods capable of detecting and locating subsurface cracks within embankment dams, including cracks with no surface expression. Winning ideas will share in a total prize purse of $400,000. Read More →
PRIZE COMPETITION - LAUNCH
Reclamation launched a new prize competition to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species
(February 26, 2026) The Bureau of Reclamation launched a new prize competition, Halt the Hitchhiker, to address aquatic invasive species in watercraft ballast. The competition is muti-phased and seeks to innovative approached that can kill, exclude, or inactivate invasive species while still safe for watercraft, users, and the environment. Winning ideas will share in a total prize purse of $550,000. Read More →
PRIZE COMPETITION - AWARD
Reclamation Awards $250,000 for Seal Team Fix prize competition Phase 1
(January 7, 2026) The Bureau of Reclamation has selected five phase one winners for the Seal Team Fix prize competition to design a rapid, high-pressure seal to control failed dam conduits and safeguard water and power. Solvers selected to move to Phase 2 will share in the $225,000 prize purse for Phase 2. Read More →
PRIZE COMPETITION - AWARD
Reclamation Awards $110,000 to Winners of Veg Out Competition
(October 23, 2024) The Bureau of Reclamation announced the winners of the Veg Out prize competition. This challenge was designed to find new methods to manage aquatic vegetation in canals, lowering cost and labor involved, while ensuring water quality and protection of downstream users. Read More →
Visit the Past Competitions Page
PRIZE COMPETITION - AWARD
Reclamation Awards $184,000 to Winners of Counting Every Drop Challenge
The Bureau of Reclamation announced the winners of the Counting Every Drop Challenge today. The three winning teams, PMASS, Rahavi Brothers, and PGRAWS, proposed, built, and demonstrated their ground-based precipitation measuring devices through virtual meetings. The devices were then submitted to Reclamation and the Natural Resources Conservation Service for laboratory and field testing. Read More →
PRIZE COMPETITION - AWARD
Reclamation Awards $75,000 for Veg Out Prize Competition Phase 2
Reclamation completed Phase 2 prototype development of the Veg Out prize competition and selected three solvers to move to Phase 3. This competition was designed to test novel scalable solutions to reduce cost and labor of aquatic vegetation management in Reclamation canals. Solvers selected to move to Phase 3 will share in the $75,000 prize purse for Phase 2. Read More →
PRIZE COMPETITION - LAUNCH
Reclamation announces $500,000 in funding for Water Supply Forecast Rodeo
WASHINGTON – The Bureau of Reclamation is launching a Water Supply Forecast Rodeo prize competition to spur innovation and advancements in methods for seasonal water supply prediction. Water supply forecasts are crucial for effective water resource management in the Western U.S. Improved forecast accuracy will help water managers mitigate the impacts of drought, improve hydropower generation, and meet environmental targets. Read More →
Contact
prize@usbr.gov
