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Near-Earth Object Grant Program Available


                       THE PLANETARY SOCIETY

              Guidelines for the Near-Earth Object
                         Grant Program


OBJECTIVES

The Planetary Society Near-Earth Object (NEO) Grant Program seeks to encourage 
the discovery and exploration of NEOs by supporting observation projects and
related research around the world.  The Society intends these grants to 
accelerate the NEO discovery rate, to improve and increase observations, and 
to encourage international cooperation in this field.

CATEGORIES

The Planetary Society invites applications in one or more of the
following categories:

     1.   NEO Observational Programs.  Projects in this category could
          include discovery programs and those projects that might increase 
          the rate of discovery.  For example, an observation program by 
          an amateur or at a small observatory could provide follow-up to 
          discoveries, and thereby free observers at larger telescopes
          for more discovery work.  Such a program would qualify for a
          Planetary Society grant.

     2.   NEO Research Programs.  The category will include all those
          fields relating to understanding NEOs and their roles in the 
          evolution of Earth and the solar system. Spectroscopy measurements 
          and analysis would be an example of a project in this
          category.

     3.   International Collaboration in NEO Observations. Projects in
          this category include those that develop international collaboration
          through cooperative research, or those that enable amateurs and 
          researchers at smaller observatories to participate in NEO 
          observations and data analysis.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The selection committee will consider how a project enables discoveries,
advances knowledge, and/or enhances international scientific collaboration. 
Projects will also be judged on their feasibility, creativity, originality, 
significance and likelihood of completion.

The committee will give special consideration to "seed" grants -- where
a little help now can generate high leverage for future work.  Amateurs and 
scientists and observers from developing countries will be given special 
consideration.

AMOUNTS OF GRANTS

The average grant will be $5,000 to $10,000, although the selection
committee will consider a range from $1,000 to $25,000, depending on need and 
expected results.   The amount available is made possible by the donations of 
Planetary Society members.

ELIGIBILITY

Anyone anywhere may submit an application for a Planetary Society Near-Earth 
Object grant. We will accept only one application per individual or group.

An application submitted on behalf of a group must clearly indicate the
person acting as the group's representative or principal investigator.  
That person must sign the application form. Should a group project be chosen, 
the grant will be presented to the group's representative or
principal investigator.  The Planetary Society will have no obligation
to any other member of the group.

APPLICATIONS

Applications may be submitted at anytime.  To be considered, an application 
must be neatly printed in English by letter, no more than three pages in 
length.   Supporting documentation may be submitted or referenced.

Send your application to:

                       NEO Grant Program
                     The Planetary Society
                   65 North Catalina Avenue
                    Pasadena, CA  91106-2301
                              USA

Applicants should send copies, not originals, of supporting documents,
figures or photographs. No applications will be returned.  Supporting 
materials must arrive with the application form unless prior arrangements 
are made.

NOTIFICATION

Grant recipients will be notified of their award as soon as a decision is made.
No other notification will be sent by The Planetary Society before this date,
except for requests by the selection committee for supplementary information.

SELECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The selection advisory committee for the NEO grants will be composed of
internationally renowned scientists.  The final selection will be made by 
the Board of Directors of The Planetary Society.  The committee's procedures 
and deliberations will be kept confidential.


PUBLICATION OF AWARDS

Winners of the Planetary Society NEO grants will be published in The
Planetary Report and The NEO News.  The Society reserves the right to publish 
summaries of the most interesting projects in either publication.  The Society
also encourages professional publications and other popular promotion and 
articles, so long as proper credit is given for any support.

OBTAINING AN APPLICATION

Write to The Planetary Society at the address noted above, or call (818)
793-5100.