I agree with more funding of scientific research, but why not use X-prizes instead of direct grants to non-profits? When we have a clear objective in mind (i.e

I agree with more funding of scientific research, but why not use X-prizes instead of direct grants to non-profits? When we have a clear objective in mind (i.e. develop a new antibiotic with no pre-existing resistance in the wild), X-prizes tend to produce much better ROIs. For-profit organizations tend to be much more efficient at hitting concrete targets. An X-prize also doesn't require the government to directly pick winners and losers, or evaluate intermediate progress. That sidesteps a lot of the risk of political corruption that inevitably creeps in with big government budgets.