Have a great idea for building a better face mask, one that solves common comfort complaints but still acts as an effective barrier? Submit it to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), for a chance to win tens of thousands of dollars.

The $500,000 “Mask Innovation Challenge” is looking for new mask designs that are both effective and more comfortable to wear. Participants have until April 21 to submit their ideas.

Though the vaccine rollout has been ramping up – with more than 165 million administered in the U.S. – the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people who have been fully vaccinated continue to take precautions like social distancing and wearing masks until more is known about how the vaccine will affect the spread of the disease.

“We know that properly and consistently worn face masks help reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory infections, but many people are reluctant to wear them for a variety of reasons,” Nikki Bratcher-Bowman, acting assistant secretary for preparedness and response at HHS, said in a press release. “With this mask challenge, we want to get people across the country involved in developing new masks that are both effective and comfortable. This will help us control COVID-19 and be better prepared for future public health emergencies.”

Can you help build a better mask for general use – one that people prefer to wear? Our mask design innovation contest has $500k in cash prizes for masks that overcome common concerns & provide good filtration. Attend our public info session: Apr 5 at 2PM➡️https://t.co/nfXMKPetQU pic.twitter.com/v6MuyB0a3g

— BARDA (@BARDA) April 5, 2021

The HHS mask challenge is being hosted in collaboration with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.

U.S. citizens or legal residents who have a unique idea that follows the required safety guidelines can submit it here by 5:00 p.m. ET on April 21.

Masks will be judged by their filtration efficiency, inhalation airflow resistance, fit and other test methods.

In the second phase of the contest, finalists will be invited to submit prototypes for proof-of-concept testing by NIOSH and other partner labs. A prize purse of $400,000 will be divided among five winners of this phase. More details on this stage of the competition will be released in the future, according to HHS.

Reusable face masks and other PPE became the saving grace of many a promotional products company in 2020 after the coronavirus pandemic tanked traditional sales, with a number of suppliers fast-tracking mask designs and ramping up production to keep the industry well-stocked.

“It’s a much more complex engineering feat to work around the face and provide adherence than one would have thought,” Michael Johnson, director of marketing for Brandwear United (asi/59528), said last year. “But we were able to understand really quickly that for a person to wear a mask regularly, it’s got to be comfortable, breathable and provide facial adherence. The actual performance aspects are more important than the aesthetic.”