A national challenge grant program to eliminate workplace fatalities.
Each ZERO 2050 prize cycle will focus on a distinct and preventable cause of occupational death, catalyzing innovative solutions with high potential to save workers’ lives.
The inaugural challenge, the Zero Electrocution Challenge, will award up to $2 million in prizes to innovations designed to eliminate life-threatening tasks that lead to fatal electrocution on the job. Two winners will each receive $1 million.
Workplace electrocution remains one of the most persistent and preventable causes of occupational death in the United States. More than 150 workers, on average, died each year between 2011 and 2023 from electrical contact. Most victims are laborers, maintenance workers, and tree trimmers who encounter energized equipment during routine tasks. Despite decades of regulations, training, and personal protective equipment, the fatality rate has not meaningfully declined, underscoring the need for engineering solutions to make lethal electrical exposure physically impossible.
“For too long we’ve focused on making dangerous work a little safer, ZERO 2050 seeks to create breakthrough innovations that remove the dangers entirely. The goal of the Zero Electrocution Challenge is not to manage the risk of electrocution - it’s to eliminate it.”
Eligibility
The Zero Electrocution Challenge is open to a wide range of applicants, including nonprofits, for-profit companies, benefit corporations, tribal governments, and educational institutions. Strong proposals must demonstrate effectiveness, feasibility, and the potential to scale. Winning solutions must eliminate fatal electrocution hazards on the job while advancing enterprise productivity and profitability. Learn more at https://www.zero2050.org.
Grant Process
Registration for the program launched on March 24, 2026, and will be open through June 23, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST. Prospective applicants are encouraged to complete the Zero Electrocution Challenge Readiness Tool at www.zec.zero2050.org to confirm eligibility and fit prior to registering. Questions from potential applicants may be directed to questions@zero2050.org.
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