$550K Prize Challenges Innovators to Stop Invasive Mussels

Invasive zebra and quagga mussels might be tiny, but they're causing massive headaches for America's water systems. Now the federal government is putting serious cash on the table to stop these aquatic hitchhikers in their tracks.

The Bureau of Reclamation just launched a three phase competition offering $550,000 in prizes for breakthrough solutions. The challenge asks innovators to develop ways to kill, block, or disable invasive mussels and algae before they enter boat ballast compartments and spread to new waterways.

These tiny invaders are no joke. Once zebra and quagga mussels establish themselves in a water system, they multiply rapidly and clog intake pipes, damage hydroelectric equipment, and disrupt entire ecosystems. Golden mussels pose similar threats, while invasive algae like sargassum can choke waterways and harm native species.

NASA's Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation is helping manage the competition through its Tournament Lab. The center specializes in crowdsourcing solutions from inventors, scientists, and creative thinkers across the country and beyond.

Phase one opens on February 26, 2026, with concept papers due by May 29. Participants can submit ideas ranging from chemical treatments to physical barriers to entirely new technologies no one has thought of yet. The competition platform yet2 will evaluate submissions across all three phases.

The Ripple Effect goes far beyond just protecting pipes and pumps. Every waterway these invasive species reach costs communities millions in damage control and ecosystem restoration. A single Great Lakes power plant can spend over $500,000 annually just clearing mussels from its systems.

By crowdsourcing solutions, the Bureau of Reclamation is tapping into America's innovative spirit. Garage inventors, university researchers, and established companies all have equal chances to contribute breakthrough ideas. The best part? Multiple winners mean multiple approaches to tackle this widespread problem.

The challenge represents a smart investment in prevention. Stopping invasive species at the source costs far less than dealing with infestations after they spread. Protected infrastructure means reliable water delivery and clean energy for millions of Americans.

Anyone interested can visit the challenge website to learn more about submission requirements and prize structures. With over half a million dollars in awards available, there's never been a better time to think creatively about stopping these underwater invaders.