yet2 launches Prize Challenge to Address Aquatic Invasive Species in Watercraft Ballast Systems

Bureau of Reclamation and yet2 today announced a new three-phase prize challenge to identify innovative solutions that prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) through watercraft ballast compartments. Managed by yet2 on behalf of the Bureau of Reclamation, the Halt the Hitchhiker: Invasive Species Challenge seeks approaches that can kill, exclude, or inactivate AIS while remaining safe for watercraft, users, and the environment.

Aquatic invasive species such as quagga, zebra, and golden mussels can be transported between waterbodies in small amounts of residual water trapped in ballast systems, posing a serious risk to water delivery and hydropower infrastructure across the western United States. While existing Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination (WID) programs are effective, they are time- and labor-intensive, creating challenges during peak boating seasons.

The spread of AIS causes significant economic and environmental harm, with quagga and zebra mussels alone are responsible for more than $1 billion annually in control and infrastructure costs nationwide. The recent detection of golden mussels in California has increased the urgency for scalable, efficient decontamination solutions.

Through this prize competition, Reclamation aims to complement existing WID efforts by advancing innovative technologies that reduce AIS risk without generating hazardous waste, damaging watercraft, or creating safety concerns.

Prize Challenge Phases

Phase 1 – Concept Papers: Up to six winners will receive up to $25,000 each for proposing novel, non-harmful ballast inspection or decontamination concepts.

Phase 2 – Virtual Pitch: Phase 1 winners will present virtual pitches demonstrating a path to engineered design. Up to three winners will receive up to $50,000 each.

Phase 3 – Prototype Development: Phase 2 winners will develop prototypes for laboratory-scale testing. Up to three winners will receive the following maximum amounts: First Prize: up to $125,000, Second Prize: up to $75,000, Third Prize: up to $50,000 dependent on meeting criteria.

The challenge is open to solutions from all technical domains and yet2 and Reclamation encourage technologists with potential solutions from adjacent application spaces or industries to submit. Additional information, including eligibility and deadlines, is available at: https://haltthehitchhiker.yet2.com/