List of prizes for evidence of the paranormal

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In 1922, Scientific American made two US$2,500 offers: (1), for the first authentic spirit photograph made under test conditions, and (2), for the first psychic to produce a "visible psychic manifestation." Harry Houdini was a member of the investigating committee. The first medium to be tested was George Valiantine, who claimed that in his presence spirits would speak through a trumpet that floated around a darkened room. For the test, Valiantine was placed in a room, the lights were extinguished, but unbeknownst to him his chair had been rigged to light a signal in an adjoining room if he left his seat. Because the light signals were tripped during his performance, Valiantine did not collect the award.[1]

Since then, many individuals and groups have offered similar monetary awards for proof of the paranormal in an observed setting. These prizes have a combined value of over 1.69 million dollars (plus additional 1.3 million in years 2012-2013 in Sisyphus project).[2] As of October 2012, none of the prizes have been claimed.

Contents

Prizes [edit]

Date Moderator(s) Prize Details Unclaimed
1963 Abraham Kovoor 100,000 LKR (US$901 approx) Kovoor initiated the Abraham Kovoor's challenge starting in 1963. Yes
N/A Alfredo Barrago's Bet €50,000 (US$67,922 approx) "... shown at least a "phenomenon" produced by "medium, seers, sensitive etc." of paranormal nature."[3] Yes
N/A Association for Skeptical Enquiry £13,000 (US$20,942 approx) Yes
N/A Australian Skeptics A$100,000 (US$101,374 approx) For proof the existence of extrasensory perception, telepathy, or telekinesis. Yes
N/A Basava Premanand 100,000 INR (US$2,190 approx) Yes
N/A Center for Inquiry West US$50,000 For "a demonstration of so-called paranormal ability scientifically tested onstage".[4] Yes
2000 Independent Investigations Group US$50,000 Contact www.info@iigwest.org for more information. Challenge rules located at http://www.iigwest.org/challenge.html. Yes
N/A Fayetteville Freethinkers US$1,000 Yes
1989-present Skepsis ry (Finnish Association of Skeptics) €10,000 (US$13,584 approx) For anybody in Finland who can produce paranormal phenomena under satisfactory observing conditions or prove that she/he/it is an extraterrestrial by providing a DNA sample for investigation. Money partially from Hannu Karttunen and Iiro Seppänen. Yes
N/A Indian Skeptic 100,000 Paranormal Challenge 100,000 INR (US$2,190 approx) Yes
1968–present James Randi One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge US$1,000,000 Largest prize money in US dollars. Yes
N/A Kazakhstan Commission for the Investigation of Anomalous Phenomena US$1,000 Yes
N/A Les Sceptiques du Quebec CA$10,000 (US$10,132 approx) Yes
N/A New York Area Skeptics US$2,000 Awarded to the successful completion of the JREF One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge. Yes
N/A North Texas Skeptics US$12,000 Yes
N/A Philip J. Klass (deceased) US$10,000 For proof of an extraterrestrial visit to the Earth. Yes
N/A Science and Rationalists' Association of India 2,500,000 INR (US$46,472.5) Prabir Ghosh will pay Rs. 2,000,000 to anyone can demonstrate a supernatural power in his presence.[5] Yes
N/A Scientific American US$2,500 Two US$2,500 offers: (1) for the first authentic spirit photograph made under test conditions, and (2) for the first psychic to produce a "visible psychic manifestation." From 1922. Yes
1999-present Sima Nan 1,000,000 CNY (US$157,500 approx) Can be won in conjunction with the JREF One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge prize. Yes
N/A Stuart Landsborough's Puzzling World NZ$100,000 (US$76,989 approx) Yes
N/A Swedish Humanist Association 100,000 SEK (US$15,421 approx) Yes
N/A Eesti Skeptik 1,000 EUR (US$1,300 approx) Yes
N/A Raul Jaanson 6,000 EUR (US$8,000 approx) Yes
2007–2009 Eng. Sanad Rashed and Ahmed Khaled Tawfik US$5,000 For proof ouija boards function as claimed. Yes
1987–2002 Henri Broch, Jacques Theodor, Gérard Majax €200,000 International Zetetic Challenge Yes
2004-present Gesellschaft zur wissenschaftlichen Untersuchung von Parawissenschaften 10,000 EUR (US$13,000 approx) Yes
2011–present Daniel Zepeda MX$20,000 Challenge rules and information at http://papaesceptico.com/reto-paranormal-de-papa-esceptico/ Yes
2012-present Sri Lanka Rationalist Association 1,000,000 LKR (US$7,675 approx) Contact +94727449599, +94773119398, +94777295200 for information and entry.[6] Yes
2012-2013 SKEPP 10,000 EUR (US$13,000 approx) For the duration of one year. In association with the Sisyphus project.[7] Yes

See also [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ "Randi $1,000,000 paranormal challenge". The Skeptic's Dictionary. Retrieved 2008-02-03. 
  2. ^ Larsen, Claus (September, 2003). "Get Rich Quick or Save the World". Skeptic Report. Archived from the original on 2007-03-23. Retrieved 2007-03-07. 
  3. ^ http://www.antiplagio.org/eng/pages/millenium.html
  4. ^ http://www.cfiwest.org/calendar/paranormaltest.htm
  5. ^ http://www.srai.org/challenge-to-all-supernatural-and-paranormal-power-holders-astrologers-etc/
  6. ^ http://www.lakbima.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=969:-10&catid=34:news&Itemid=62
  7. ^ http://skepp.be/nieuws/skepp-verhoogt-sisyphus-prijs-tot-1000000-euro

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