Students are encouraged to apply for the 2025 year. Read below for eligibility requirements and preliminary application form.
The Schweickart Prize is awarded annually on International Asteroid Day as observed on June 30th to an exceptional graduate student or post-doc fellow for their innovative ideas and their potential for leadership in the advancement of planetary defense. Award applicants must submit a proposal for an innovative and original idea that, looking forward, would materially improve planetary defense capabilities in one or more areas that include asteroid impact prediction, impact mitigation, mitigation law and public policy development, and public outreach or education on planetary defense issues. The proposals are judged based on originality, implementability and likelihood to materially advance planetary defense.
The prize winning student or team will receive a prestigious museum-quality award, with an authenticated meteorite, symbolizing the existential nature of the award's purpose. In addition to the physical award, the winner will be granted a cash prize of $10,000 USD, and be given global exposure through a press campaign, ensuring widespread acknowledgment of their innovative ideas.
Aspiring candidates will need an advocate to apply (someone who can vouch for their work). If you believe you might be a good candidate for the prize, we require you to fill in this form to begin the application process.
Students will be notified of the acceptance of their preliminary application by the Schweickart Prize organization and requested to complete a final application for review by the Nomination Committee. Applicants are advised to focus special attention on their Planetary Defense proposal statement as this will be the core element on which the application will be judged. Application submission deadlines for the 2025 year will be announced in the fall of 2024.
For your final application please provide:
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Below is a set of example ideas for exploration and development consistent with the purpose of the Schweickart Prize. They are, in themselves, realistic proposals for work to improve planetary defense, but their primary purpose is to illustrate the kinds of efforts that are encouraged by the prize.
Below is a set of valuable resources to inform students about many aspects of Planetary Defense. Students are highly encouraged to utilize these sites to understand the current state of Planetary Defense in their particular areas of interest/expertise and to ensure their Schweickart Prize proposals are addressing the most critical gaps in current capabilities.