Planetary Society Launches Crowdfunding Plan Allowing “Ordinary People” to Contribute to Space Exploration

The Pasadena-based Planetary Society has announced a new crowdfunding program that aims to “advance the exploration of other worlds, bolster the search for life beyond Earth, and protect the planet from dangerous asteroids.”

Science and Technology Empowered by the Public, or STEP grants, will support research and development projects that may be overlooked or underfunded by other sources.

“This is a unique opportunity for the researchers who will receive the funding and for ordinary people who want to make a direct contribution to the future of space exploration,” said Planetary Society CEO Bill Nye in a prepared statement

“Together, we’ll enable big steps in space science and exploration.”

The nominal expectation for the first round of STEP grants is two awards at approximately $50,000 each. Preliminary proposals are due on May 26.

The program issues open, international requests for proposals for credible and significant research and hardware development projects. Funding for these projects will come from The Planetary Society’s more than 50,000 members and donors.

STEP grants are competitively awarded through an open, international process. The Society expects to accept and select new proposals roughly every two years. It also expects STEP grants to eventually comprise a significant portion of the organization’s science and technology portfolio.

STEP grants must directly relate to The Planetary Society’s core interests of exploring other worlds, finding life, and defending Earth from dangerous asteroids. As detailed in its Request for Proposals (RFP), the program seeks to fund credible and significant research and hardware development projects. STEP grants will also achieve one, or preferably more, of the following:

• Provide seed funding that will take research to the next level, allowing future successful competition for other sources of funding
• Fill a niche not being filled or fully filled by others
• Develop innovative technology that may jumpstart its broader use
• Involve, inspire, and/or excite Planetary Society members and the general public
• Take advantage of a timely opportunity
• Require funding that cannot be easily obtained from other sources

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