The SETI Institute is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Tarter Award, honoring innovation in the search for life beyond Earth. The award recognizes individuals or teams with demonstrably impactful work, and carries a $100,000 prize. Named for SETI pioneer Dr. Jill Tarter, the award celebrates contributions supporting the Institute’s mission.
2026 Tarter Award: Recognizing Extraterrestrial Life Research
Eligibility requires demonstrably impactful work, ideally supported by peer-reviewed publications or expert evaluation. Notably, the award considers contributions across diverse fields—including technology, art, and philosophy—reflecting the broad impact of the search itself. The nomination process opens January 15, 2026, and closes March 31, 2026, with submissions accepted via email. Required materials include a nomination letter (limited to two pages), two supporting letters, and the nominee’s complete CV. This award, named for SETI Institute co-founder Dr. Jill Tarter, recognizes projects that may have originated for unrelated purposes but significantly enhance the Allen Telescope Array’s capabilities, like the historical example of sail technology improving radome design.
Nomination Process and Required Materials for the Tarter Award
A complete Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailing the nominee’s professional background is also a necessary component of the application, ensuring a thorough review of their qualifications. The selection committee will evaluate nominees based on demonstrably impactful work, with preference given to contributions published in peer-reviewed journals or assessed by experts. The recipient of the 2026 award will receive $100,000 and public recognition at a SETI Institute event, celebrating advancements in the search for extraterrestrial life. Submissions must be received by the March 31, 2026 deadline to be considered.
$100,000 Award & 2026 Selection Committee Members
Nominees should demonstrate contributions generally supported by peer-review or expert evaluation, indicating rigorous assessment of their work. This substantial prize aims to acknowledge advancements across disciplines—spanning science, technology, and even fields like art and philosophy—that support the SETI Institute’s overarching mission. Evaluating nominations is a distinguished selection committee comprised of professionals from diverse backgrounds. Jim Bildner, CEO of Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, and Andrew Fraknoi, a former Executive Director of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, are among those determining the recipient. Other committee members include experts in VR production, venture capital, and leadership roles within the SETI Institute itself, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation process.
SETI Institute’s Mission & Interdisciplinary Approach to the Search
The SETI Institute’s mission centers on understanding life’s prevalence in the universe, established in 1984 as a non-profit research organization. This pursuit utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach, integrating physical and biological sciences with data analytics and advanced signal detection. The Institute partners with NASA, NSF, industry, and academia to broaden its research capabilities and share findings globally. An example of this unexpected application of existing technology involves the adaptation of a centuries-old sail attachment method to improve the Allen Telescope Array’s radome covers, protecting sensitive electronics. This demonstrates a willingness to leverage creativity from any source to advance the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.
The SETI Institute’s Tarter Award recognizes innovators whose creativity produces a concept that helps improve the search for intelligent life beyond Earth, even though its original purpose was something entirely different.
Jill Tarter
