It's not a prize, it's a grant program.

Organizations working along the lines of the challenge can apply for an initial grant of up to $2 million and then some more if things are going well. The idea is to identify underfunded ideas and reduce that particular problem.

And compared to the profits certain to be reaped if you were successful in developing it.

Aren't you basically printing money once you have a universal vaccine for the flue? I imagine 12m will be peanuts in comparison.