Male Contraceptive Initiative provides funding and advocacy support for the research & development of new male contraceptive methods. |
Male Contraceptive Initiative Overview
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Vision & Mission
Our mission is to empower men, and couples, to fully contribute to family planning goals by providing the necessary resources for reproductive autonomy. We believe that contraception is an integral part of empowering people to decide whether and when to have children, and that men suffer from a serious lack of viable options for participating in achieving family planning goals.
Consider this: men currently only have two options for contraception, condoms and vasectomy.
This lack of contraceptive options for men negatively impacts everyone. Addressing this unmet need (and demand!) is a necessary step towards providing couples true reproductive autonomy. We envision a world in which couples can choose what is right for them irrespective of gender. Men deserve the resources needed to manage their reproductive health, and women deserve to be empowered with the ability to benefit from contraception without always being the one to contracept.
Our mission is to empower men, and couples, to fully contribute to family planning goals by providing the necessary resources for reproductive autonomy. We believe that contraception is an integral part of empowering people to decide whether and when to have children, and that men suffer from a serious lack of viable options for participating in achieving family planning goals.
Consider this: men currently only have two options for contraception, condoms and vasectomy.
This lack of contraceptive options for men negatively impacts everyone. Addressing this unmet need (and demand!) is a necessary step towards providing couples true reproductive autonomy. We envision a world in which couples can choose what is right for them irrespective of gender. Men deserve the resources needed to manage their reproductive health, and women deserve to be empowered with the ability to benefit from contraception without always being the one to contracept.
Path to an Option
We focus on supporting the research and development of nonhormonal, reversible methods of male contraception (NHRMC). There are many potential approaches to reversibly inhibiting male fertility without using hormones. This allows for the exploration of all sorts of products with varied characteristics and approaches, from a daily pill to an injection that could last for years.
We focus on supporting the research and development of nonhormonal, reversible methods of male contraception (NHRMC). There are many potential approaches to reversibly inhibiting male fertility without using hormones. This allows for the exploration of all sorts of products with varied characteristics and approaches, from a daily pill to an injection that could last for years.
Spermatogenesis
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Sperm Transport
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Sperm Motility
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Fertilization
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Funding Approach
We feel that male contraception is an under-funded and under-researched area of scientific enquiry that has incredible potential. We support the research community in this field through an array of funding strategies, including grants and investments. We also understand the importance of nurturing the next generation of male contraception champions, and we support them through fellowships, internships, travel grants, and more. Our strategy is to support the male contraception research community throughout every step of their professional development and careers as they work towards bringing new male contraceptives to market. |
Male Contraceptive Initiative's Funding Mechanisms
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Advocacy Approach
The reality is that we are still years away from the first new NHRMC methods being available. There are many reasons driving this timeline, but the lack of funding is likely the most daunting. It costs hundreds of millions of dollars, if not more, to bring a new drug to market. We work to provide educational resources and promotional support the field in order to:
- Harness and share the collective voice of those demanding these methods
- Ensure the potential positive impact of male contraception is fully understood
- Convince investors and donors of the market potential
- Share accurate information on male contraceptive development work
- Educate people on the new methods to prepare them for future use
The reality is that we are still years away from the first new NHRMC methods being available. There are many reasons driving this timeline, but the lack of funding is likely the most daunting. It costs hundreds of millions of dollars, if not more, to bring a new drug to market. We work to provide educational resources and promotional support the field in order to:
- Harness and share the collective voice of those demanding these methods
- Ensure the potential positive impact of male contraception is fully understood
- Convince investors and donors of the market potential
- Share accurate information on male contraceptive development work
- Educate people on the new methods to prepare them for future use
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Systemic Impact
The hybrid approach of advancing male contraception research and development through both funding and advocacy efforts will allow us to achieve the impact we are working towards: providing reproductive autonomy for people (and couples) of all genders. It is the necessary, holistic approach that will allow us to:
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Join Us
Male Contraceptive Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This allows us to be nimble and innovative in how we approach making our vision a reality. We understand that we are only able to do this necessary work thanks to the generosity of our donors, and work diligently to create opportunities for you to partner with us on our mission. Together we will make “Reproductive Autonomy for All” a reality! |
MCI's Ecosystem
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Read MCI’s 2019 Annual ReportMale Contraceptive Initiative’s Annual Report details our granting strategy, the projects we support, as well as our innovative methods to promote an inclusive world of “team science.” Read the report today.
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Read MCI’s Consumer Research ReportMale Contraceptive Initiative led a study to identify unmet needs and satisfaction with current contraceptive methods among a sample of men across key market segments. This report shares the study’s findings.
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