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Noetic Research Prize Continues to Advance the Field

October 16, 2024
IONS Science Team

The Linda G. O’Bryant Noetic Sciences Research Prize recognizes groundbreaking research on non-local consciousness, a concept that challenges the conventional view of consciousness as being solely generated by the brain. 

This year’s $100,000 prize focuses on a comparative analysis of theories of non-local consciousness (NC)—theories that suggest consciousness is not confined to the brain, body, or even the boundaries of space and time.

Purpose of the prize

The prize augments IONS’ intention to foster creative and leading-edge approaches to the scientific investigation of human consciousness.

The prize is named in honor of IONS’ Board Member and longtime supporter, Linda G. O’Bryant. A member of IONS since the 1980s, O’Bryant worked with IONS to create this award to inspire groundbreaking discoveries in the field of consciousness, with the ultimate goal of identifying revolutionary ideas that could change the world. 

Hear from Linda on why she supports scientists and the exploration of the mind:

Why this prize stands apart

This prize encourages innovative research that challenges the prevailing physicalist view of consciousness, seeking new models that explain the full range of human experience. It supports approaches that consider consciousness to be a fundamental aspect of reality, potentially reversing, and at minimum challenging, traditional scientific paradigms.

About the Judging Criteria 

This year three finalists were selected from 21 applications. The contest aims to foster diverse approaches to understanding consciousness, so having three finalists allows for multiple innovative perspectives to be explored. It ensures that each promising idea receives support, promoting a variety of research paths and encouraging broader exploration in this complex, cutting-edge field.

There are six judging criteria, including: a comprehensive coverage of modern and ancient theories on consciousness, critical analysis of experimental evidence, comparative scope highlighting similarities, differences, strengths, and weaknesses, identification of testable predictions to distinguish between theories, clarity and expository accessibility for the general public, and originality in proposing new theories or methods of empirical investigation.

All finalists are guaranteed to win some portion of the $100,000 prize, with amounts determined by the IONS board of advisors and judges based on the quality and scope of the reviews.

Join us November 1st

The prize will be awarded on Friday, November 1st during a special 90-minute virtual event, Breaking the Boundaries of the Brain: Exploring Pioneering Theories of Non-Local Consciousness. The free event is open to the public and will provide a unique opportunity to hear directly from the finalists and thought leaders in the field of consciousness research.

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore revolutionary ideas that could reshape our understanding of human potential and the very nature of reality. 

Register for the free event and learn more about this year’s prize at noetic.org/prize.


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