The contest, presented by Star Harbor Space Training Academy, begins today and is very unique. SEG will initially award one space flight for each 50,000 applications, but will increase the number of awards given per 50,000 applications as the number of applicants grows. This unique approach of offering ever-increasing odds will encourage applicants to share the contest opportunity enthusiastically among their family members, friends and communities worldwide, knowing their own chances of being selected increase as the more people apply. The SEG Council (judge’s panel) is made up of former NASA astronauts, industry experts, space enthusiasts, celebrity artists, musicians and other influential people representing a wide variety of interests who share our mission of tapping the world’s love of space exploration to benefit our planet, #SpaceshipEarth.
Contest Process:
1. Create a Basic Profile: September 15 - December 31, 2014
o Must be 18+
2. Pay the Application Fee: Application fee is $15 - 90 USD
o The fee is adjusted according to the relative wealth of the applicant’s home nation, providing opportunities for all of Earth’s citizens to participate.
3. Complete Application: Must be complete by December 31, 11:59:59 EST, 2014
o Full application to include a short written summary
o 90 second video answering the question “How will you use this experience to better yourself, your community or our planet?”
o Applications may be in English, Spanish, French, Japanese, Arabic, Russian or Mandarin
4. Social Media Rally Period: January 5 - February 28, 2015
o During this phase applicants are encouraged to leverage their social media networks to garner wider attention and support for why they should be chosen.
5. List of Finalists Announced by SEG Council: March 20, 2015
o The primary selection criteria will be the applicants’ demonstration of a clear ability to communicate and a desire to convert their spaceflight experience into a planetary benefit upon their return.
o Additional selection criteria will also include the level of the applicant’s engagement in the campaign as well as the engagement of the globe with the applicant.
o Consideration will be given to applicants on a regional basis in an effort to ensure winners represent the diverse geographic locations of the applicant pool.
6. Grant Winners Announced by SEG Council: April 12, 2015
o On the 54th anniversary of the first human spaceflight, winners of the largest effort to propel humanity into space will be announced.
Award Packages include:
SPACEFLIGHT AWARDS
-A trip aboard the winner’s choice of spaceflight providers currently available at time of award announcement
-Spaceflight Training package from Star Harbor Space Training Academy
-Travel expenses including coach airfare to/from home country, food/housing and ground transportation
PARABOLIC FLIGHT AWARDS for EARLY APPLICANTS
For the first 5,000 profiles created, 1 in every 100 will be selected for a total of 50 Parabolic Flight Awards (full application must be complete by 11:59:59 Dec 31, 2014 to qualify – same selection criteria applies)
A percentage of funds generated will be granted to outstanding organizations around the world that share our mission of creating a world that works for everyone. Initial grants will be made to partner organizations: Fragile Oasis, The Overview Institute, The Planetary Society and Project Nominate. SEG looks forward to launching its organization and project grant program next year after individual winners of the contest are selected. For more information and full contest terms and conditions, visit spaceshipearthgrant.com MEDIA CONTACT: Holly Hitchcock, Holly@CruxPartners.com, 805.801.9798 About Spaceship Earth Grants Spaceship Earth Grants Corp. (SEG), a Public Benefit Corporation, is committed to making the space experience accessible to as many people as possible. SEG offers applicants a chance to travel to space while helping to fund efforts and organizations that are making a significant positive impact on planet Earth. SEG will be providing grants to individuals and organizations that are likewise committed to bettering their communities.
For more information, visit spaceshipearthgrants.com.
About Star Harbor Space Training Academy
Star Harbor Space Training Academy will be the first-in-the-world publicly accessible, fully
comprehensive and environmentally immersive space training academy. The Star Harbor
team is led by CEO Maraia Hoffman and includes former NASA Astronauts Leland Melvin
and Ron Garan.
