In an effort to find new and revolutionary ways to combat cancer, medical researchers and hedge fund managers have created a contest. The goal is to come up with the best new idea for cancer research, and the winner gets $1 million.

It's called the Gotham Prize for Cancer Research, and anyone -- whether you're a cancer expert or an interested member of the general public -- is allowed to participate. The prize was created in response to decreasing funding to investigate and combat the disease, along with the restricted access to funds that are available -- a situation which has researchers writing grants for what will get funded, not necessarily what will produce results.

If you're interested, you simply need to write an essay or thesis outlining the idea. You won't even be the one to implement the research, as that will be left up to the experts.

They're challenging you to open their minds.