Through extensive interviews with health care providers in developing countries, EWH identifies health care challenges specific to the developing world and what new technologies might deliver the most positive impact for their patients. From this first-hand knowledge, EWH compiles and broadcasts an annual list of design challenges: the Projects that Matter. This list is updated each August and published on the EWH website. It includes so-called ‘legacy projects’ where significant progress has been made, but not enough to complete the project, as well as new projects on which no work has been completed.

Engineers submit solutions and if the designs look promising EWH can provide a small grant to build and bench-test a prototype. If the solution proves to be effective in field trials, typically conducted by EWH during the summer, then we will post the solution on our pages. In some cases, EWH will kit the solution for anyone to build the product.

These are projects that truly matter. Successful designs can impact millions of people around the world.

Who can participate? Individuals, groups of students, senior design teams, BMES or IEEE chapters or just a bunch of friends can submit designs. Designs can be submitted at any time. If your design meets the design criteria, you will receive up to $150 to build a prototype.