+ INSPIRATIONAL TEACHERS + RESEARCHERS + AUTHORS

+ Survival of Human Consciousness     + Nature of the Afterlife     + Research

"The Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies (BICS) was founded in June 2020 by aerospace entrepreneur Robert T. Bigelow to support research into both the survival of human consciousness after physical death and, based on data from such studies, the nature of the afterlife. Robert Bigelow is the founder of Bigelow Aerospace. For decades he has also supported serious investigations into consciousness and manifestations of unusual phenomena that are not yet understood by science."

"Despite intriguing evidence, the number of research groups and funding devoted to investigating the survival of human consciousness beyond death is shockingly small in the Western world. Even though all 7.8 billion humans on planet Earth will eventually die, very little high quality research is being conducted on perhaps the most important and fundamental question facing our species."

"There are very few significant conferences or symposia on this question which could appeal to scientists, academics and others with advanced training. This is partly because such research is not taken seriously by the current 'scientific' paradigm. This current 'scientific' group was seriously shaken by the 2017 New York Times article concerning UFO’s. It is probably time to end this close-minded approach. We at BICS believe that one way to do so is to appeal to qualified professionals who have some power to create change."

"One purpose of the BICS is to raise awareness among the public and within the scientific community of the importance and relevance of such an investigation. BICS hopes to provide a public service by drawing increasing attention to, and encouraging research into, this fundamental and timeless topic. We are seeking hard evidence 'beyond a reasonable doubt' that takes us beyond religion or philosophy and provides a body of knowledge to be brought widely into the public arena that could be partially unifying in its impact on human awareness and culture."

BICS Essay Competition 2021
In 2021 BICS held an essay competition with significant cash prizes for the winning entries. A purpose of the BICS essay awards was to raise the public awareness for the Survival of Human Consciousness topic and to stimulate research.

"One goal of the essay contest is to award contestants for writing papers that summarize the best evidence available for the survival of human consciousness after permanent bodily death."

+ Read all twenty-nine winning BICS contest essays on the BICS website.