The Schweickart Prize is awarded annually to an exceptional individual or team of graduate students and/or post-doc fellows for their innovative ideas and their potential for leadership in the advancement of planetary defense. Award applicants must submit a proposal for an innovative and original idea that, looking forward, would materially improve planetary defense capabilities in one or more areas that include asteroid impact prediction, impact mitigation, mitigation law and public policy development, and public outreach and education. The proposals are judged based on originality, implementability, and likelihood to materially advance planetary defense.
The winning recipient will receive:
To apply, students must complete three separate steps, including pre-application, proposal submission, and, if selected as a finalist, an interview, which will assess their ability to articulate, defend, and refine their proposals based on feedback from the Schweickart Prize Selection Committee.
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The Schweickart Prize welcomes applications from eligible graduate students, recent graduates, postdoctoral fellows, and interdisciplinary student teams from around the world.
Review the complete guide for current eligibility requirements, team criteria, required application materials, letters of recommendation, proposal guidelines, and the finalist interview process. This document will be updated as information for each application cycle becomes available.
Schweickart Prize Proposal Guidance
Find out more of the technical requirements and expectations for your proposal.
A collection of websites for students to learn more about the current state of planetary defense.
This winning proposal calls for planetary defense to extend beyond Earth's surface, encompassing the rapidly expanding network of critical infrastructure through cislunar space.
The PAOA Proposal advocates for the creation of an international body to address unintended asteroid orbit alterations from future space activity.
The SUNSET Collaboration Proposal aims to address the challenge of discovering SNEOs.
This area focuses on detecting, tracking, and characterizing asteroids to better understand their composition, trajectories, and potential threats. It also includes developing innovative technologies for deflection and impact mitigation to safeguard Earth.
Proposals in this category address the creation of international agreements, local evacuation plans, and frameworks for global cooperation. They explore how nations can share responsibilities and resources to effectively respond to asteroid threats.
This area emphasizes strategies for informing and educating the public about asteroid risks, from designing early warning systems to crafting effective evacuation messaging. It also includes public education campaigns and engaging media to ensure accurate information dissemination.
Legal-focused proposals explore space law, liability, and accountability in planetary defense, while economic frameworks examine funding, insurance, and financial preparedness. These solutions aim to create fair and sustainable systems for addressing asteroid threats.
Social and Ethical Considerations
Proposals in this area tackle issues of equity, ethical decision-making, and cultural sensitivities in planetary defense planning. They explore ways to involve communities, ensure fair access to resources, and address the broader societal impacts of asteroid threats.