The first place award will be US$3500. Two second place prize of $1500, and three third place prizes of $1000 each will also be awarded. Academic advisors of the winning teams will also receive a special award of $1500, $500, and $300 respectively.

Created to honor the memory of renowned American author Robert A. Heinlein, the contest was established to forward the shared dream of a future of humankind expanding ever outward into space. The contest is being conducted by the Heinlein Prize Trust and assisted by the Russian Aviation and Space Scientific Innovation Educational Complex (RASSIEC). Further information can be found at: www.heinleincontest.info.

The competition is open to citizens from European, African, and Middle Eastern nations. Also eligible to enter are students and post-graduate students, regardless of nationality, attending any European, African, or Middle Eastern school. All contest entrants must be less than 30 years old on July 7, 2005. Entries may be submitted by individual authors, or by teams of no more than three authors. Academic advisors may be associated with the development of the contest works.

Contest entries should include scientific, technical, and economic substantiation (business plan) of the proposed project. Entries must describe the peaceful use, and practical applications of the work in the field of space exploration. Entries will be judged by an international team of experts. The entered works will be judged on a basis of the novelty and originality of the proposal, the economic and social benefits, the technological substantiation and profoundness of research, and the veracity and investment attractiveness of project.

Entries must be sent by May 14, 2005. Authors of the top ten entries will receive invitations giving them an opportunity to meet directly with the judging committee to discuss and evaluate their projects. Presentation of the top entries will take place on July 6, 2005. Awards will be presented on July 7, 2005, the anniversary of the birth of Robert A. Heinlein.

The awards will be presented at a yet-to-be-determined European center for space research and industry.

The Heinlein Prize and the Robert A. Heinlein Flight into the Future Project Contest honor the memory of Robert A. Heinlein, best-selling American author regarded as one of the founders of modern science fiction, and of his wife Virginia.

Posted January 28, 2005