Planning Association Announces STEP Grants – Pasadena Now

The Pasadena-based Planetary Society has announced a new crowdfund funding program aimed at “advancing another world study, strengthening exploration for extraterrestrial life, and protecting the planet from dangerous asteroids. ”

Public-powered Science and Technology, or STEP grants, support research and development projects that may be overseen or underfunded by other sources.

“This is a unique opportunity for funded researchers and ordinary people who want to contribute directly to the future of space exploration,” Planetary Society President Bill Nye said in a statement prepared

. “Together, we will embark on major advances in space science and exploration.”

The stated expectation for the first round of STEP donations is two prizes at around $ 50,000 each. Proposals are expected to begin on May 26th.

The program brings out open, international requests for proposals for reliable and significant research projects and hardware development. Funding for these projects will come from over 50,000 members and donors of the Planetary Society.

STEP grants are awarded competitively through an open, international process. The Association intends to adopt and select new proposals approximately every two years. STEP grants are also expected to cover a significant proportion of the organisation’s science and technology care.

STEP contributions must be directly related to the main interests of the Planetary Society exploring another world, looking for life, and protects the Earth from dangerous asteroids. As explained in the Request for Proposals (RFP), the program aims to fund credible and significant hardware research and development projects. STEP grants will achieve one, or if possible more, of the following:

• Provide seed funding that will take research to the next level, allowing successful future competition for other sources of funding
• Fill a niche without being filled or filled with others
• Develop innovative technology that can jump over its wider use
• Enter, inspire, and / or motivate Planetary Society members and the public
• Take advantage of opportunity in a timely manner
• Ask for funding that is not readily available from other sources

For more information, visit pPlanetary Society STEP Program or visit pantetary.org.