- a self-evaluation form very similar to the judges' form downloadable
from this website
- an application Form #2 downloadable from this website
- a signed, notarized agreement by the applicant (Form #2) to regard
and accept the decision of the judges for that particular
application as irrevocable, noncontestable, and final.
- a signed, notarized form (also Form #3) certifying that the work is
original; and finally
- a .pdf file of each reprint in English from a reputable,
well-known, naturalistic, peer-reviewed scientific journal related to
molecular biology/evolution, biochemistry, microbiology, virology,
paleogeology, cell biology, information theory, artificial
life/intelligence, or origin-of-life research. The publication(s)
must inherently contain the applicant's total presentation of an
integrated, unified description of a mechanism for the spontaneous
rise of genetic instruction in nature sufficient to instruct
observable life. The publication(s) must also inherently contain
empirical correlation supporting the proposed mechanism. This
empirical correlation need not be original laboratory work, but can
be gleaned from the existing literature. A maximum of three
peer-reviewed scientific publications can be submitted.
- a .pdf file of a 2,000-word-maximum (not counting references)
essay/abstract in English by the applicant(s) is required. Submitters
should summarize the thrust of the submitted publication(s). Explain
why/how those publications meet each of the required conditions for
winning the Prize. The Essay is critical in convincing busy judges
that your published papers collectively fulfill the rules and
requirements for winning the Prize. The essay will help draw judges
attention to important sections of your published papers.
Use the self-evaluation form to organize your essay presentation. The
essay should state with outline-like clarity how your submitted
publications answer each question listed on the self-evaluation
sheet. The judges circle numbers on a judging form that is
essentially the same as the self-evaluation form. It is common for
submitters to grade themselves with 9's and 10's on questions that
the judges feel deserve only a 2 or 3. Study the self-evaluation
sheet questions carefully to make sure your research and submission
is actually addressing each question.
While the essay is important to organize judges' review of the
submitted published papers, the essay itself will not suffice to meet
the conditions for winning the Prize. The conditions must be met
within the published, peer-reviewed papers themselves.
- A nonrefundable application processing fee of $500 per submission.
Review of each submission costs many thousands of dollars and a great
deal of valuable time and effort on the part of well-known
scientists. The application fee is necessary to discourage frivolous
submissions.
Email to life@us.net with pdf attachments is the preferred method of
submission.
Submissions may be made to the Foundation as soon as all scientific papers in
the submission have been in print for 24 months. Three years must elapse,
however, from the publication date of the most recent paper included in the
package before the Prize can be officially awarded. The required delay
following publication permits
- adequate peer review and critique of the published paper/s by
colleagues and international experts in origin-of-life related
fields,
- time for any experiments to be independently repeated and confirmed,
All submissions become the property of the Foundation and shall not be
returned to the submitter.
Joint submissions by multiple investigators
A signed agreement between joint submitters is recommended specifying in
advance what relative percentage of the Prize money shall go to each joint
submitter. An escrow account must be opened by the first author to receive
single yearly Prize annuity payments by the Foundation. It is the
responsibility of joint submitters to work out and receive their own shares
out of their escrow account.