Paranormal challenges, often posed by groups or individuals who self-identify as skeptics or rationalists, publicly challenge those who claim to possess paranormal abilities to demonstrate that they in fact possess them, and are not fraudulent or self-deceptive.
Process
After establishing procedures and measures of success agreed upon beforehand between the challengers and the claimants, a challenge is usually divided into two steps. The first is a "preliminary test", or "pre-test", where claimants can show their purported abilities under controlled conditions in front of a small audience, before being admitted to the final test. Sometimes these pre-tests have a smaller prize attached to them. Several local organisations have set up challenges that serve as pre-tests to larger prizes such as the JREF's One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge or the 2012–2013 SKEPP Sisyphus Prize (for one million euros).
History In 1922, Scientific American made two US$2,500 offers: (1) for the first authentic spirit photograph made under test conditions, and (2) for the first psychic to produce a "visible psychic manifestation." Harry Houdini was a member of the investigating committee. The first medium to be tested was George Valiantine, who claimed that in his presence spirits would speak through a trumpet that floated around a darkened room. For the test, Valiantine was placed in a room, the lights were extinguished, but unbeknownst to him his chair had been rigged to light a signal in an adjoining room if he left his seat. Because the light signals were tripped during his performance - indicating that he did leave his seat multiple times, sometimes for up to eighteen seconds - Valiantine was confirmed to be a fraud, and did not collect the award money.
Since then, many individuals and groups have offered similar monetary awards for proof of the paranormal in an observed setting. Indian rationalist Abraham Kovoor's challenge in 1963 inspired American skeptic James Randi's prize in 1964, which became the One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge. In 2003, these prizes were calculated to have a combined value of US$2,326,500. As of December 2023, none of the prizes have been awarded, as no proof of paranormal has been provided.
In 2015, James Randi ceased to accept public applications directly from people claiming to have paranormal powers. As of 2018, these prizes combine to approximately US$1,024,215. They take place in multiple countries and the conditions to be met may vary considerably. As of January 2024, none of the prizes have been claimed.
List of standing prizes Date Location Challengers Offered prize Equivalent in U.S. dollars Details Status 2014– Czech Republic Czech Skeptics' Club Sisyfos 3,515,000 Czech koruna $160,671 To anyone who can prove to possess paranormal abilities in areas such as clairvoyance, telepathy, telekinesis, rhabdomancy, etc. Unclaimed 1999– China Sima Nan 1,000,000 Chinese yuan $157,913 "[T]o anyone who can perform one act of "special ability” without cheating." Unclaimed 1984– India Tarksheel Society 10,000,000 Indian rupees $150,110 To anyone who can perform any of 22 specified "miracles". The entry fee is 10,000 INR. Unclaimed 2000– United States Center for Inquiry Investigations Group 500,000 US dollars $500,000 "...to anyone who can demonstrate any paranormal, supernatural, or occult power under scientific test conditions." The person who refers a successful applicant to the CFIIG earns $5,000 as well. Unclaimed 1980– Australia Australian Skeptics 100,000 Australian dollars $75,820 For proof of the existence of extrasensory perception, telepathy, or telekinesis. Unclaimed 1985– India Science and Rationalists' Association of India, Prabir Ghosh 5,000,000 Indian rupees $75,055 Prabir Ghosh will award the prize "to any person of this world who can demonstrate his/her supernormal power by performing any one of the following activities without taking help of any hoax/trick at my designated place and circumstances." Unclaimed 2000– Italy Alfredo Barrago's Bet 50,000 Euro $60,737 "[...] shown at least a 'phenomenon' produced by 'medium, seers, sensitive etc.' of paranormal nature." Unclaimed 2002– Belgium SKEPP Sisyphus Prize 25,000 Euro $30,368 The original Sisyphus Prize was €10,000. Between 2012 and 2013, for the duration of one year, an anonymous Antwerp businessman raised the prize €1,000,000, while several European skeptical organisations attached their pre-tests to it. Afterwards, the regular Sisyphus Prize was continued and raised from €10,000 to €25,000. Unclaimed 2013– Great Britain Association for Skeptical Enquiry 12,000 British pounds $16,535 For proof of psychic powers. Unclaimed 2015– Russia Harry Houdini Prize 1,000,000 Russian rubles $16,096 The prize is awarded for demonstrating paranormal or supernatural abilities under conditions scientifically valid experiment. Unclaimed 2001– United States North Texas Skeptics 12,000 US dollars $12,000 "[T]o any person ... who can demonstrate any psychic or paranormal power or ability under scientifically valid observing conditions." Unclaimed 1997– Great Britain Lavkesh Prasha, Asian Rationalist Society of Britain 10,000 British pounds $13,779 "[T]o any person who could prove to possess magical powers before the media and scientists." The initial amount of £2,000 was increased fivefold in 2006 to attract more applicants. Unclaimed 2008– Estonia Eesti Skeptik 10,000 Euro $12,147 To anyone who can prove paranormal abilities. Unclaimed 2004– Germany GWUP 10,000 Euro $12,147 To anyone who can prove paranormal abilities. Unclaimed 1989– Finland Skepsis ry (Finnish Association of Skeptics) 10,000 Euro $12,147 For anybody in Finland who can produce paranormal phenomena under satisfactory observing conditions or prove that she/he/it is an extraterrestrial by providing a DNA (or equivalent) sample for investigation. Money partially from astronomer Hannu Karttunen and magician Iiro Seppänen. Unclaimed 1988– Netherlands Stichting Skepsis 10,000 Euro $12,147 To anyone who wants their "alternative diagnoses" (including applied kinesiology, electroacupuncture, bioresonance therapy, Therapeutic Touch, observing auras, clairvoyance, iridology, pendulum dowsing, astrology) to be tested; winning the pre-test earns €500. Skepsis' first challenge in March 1988 was ƒ10,000 to any "psychic surgeon" who could remove chairman Cornelis de Jager's appendix. Unclaimed Unknown– Sweden Swedish Humanist Association 100,000 Swedish krona $11,550 To anyone who can demonstrate a paranormal or supernatural ability for which no scientific explanation can be found. Unclaimed 1996– Canada Les Sceptiques du Quebec 10,000 Canadian dollars $7785 "Just a small fact, observable or verifiable through experiment" of a paranormal phenomenon. Unclaimed 2012– Sri Lanka Sri Lankan Rationalist Association 1,000,000 Sri Lankan rupees $6341 Professor Carlo Fonseka renewed Abraham Kovoor's challenge. Unclaimed Unknown– United States Fayetteville Freethinkers One goat undetermined "Offering a reward for a fulfilled Biblical prophecy!" Unclaimed 1976– India Indian Skeptic, Indian CSICOP 100,000 Indian rupees $1501 Formerly moderated by Basava Premanand, deceased in 2009. Offered after Abraham Kovoor fell ill with cancer in 1976. Premanand's magazine and organization have continued the challenge after his death in 2009. Unclaimed 1995– India Indian Rationalist Association, Sanal Edamaruku 100,000 Indian rupees $1501 To anyone who could prove the 1995 "Hindu milk miracle" was, in fact, a miracle. Since 2002, it includes "anyone who can provide scientific evidence for iridology". Unclaimed 2011– Mexico Daniel Zepeda 20,000 Mexican pesos $1074 "To anyone who can show, under proper observational and replicable conditions, evidence of a paranormal, supernatural or occult power for which science has no answer." Unclaimed 1989– United States Tampa Bay Skeptics 1000 US dollars $1,000 "[T]o anyone able to demonstrate any paranormal phenomenon under mutually agreed-upon observing conditions." Unclaimed2023New ZealandNZ Skeptics & NZ Association of Rationalists and Humanists100,000 New Zealand dollars$60,000"[T]he challenge is open to anyone who can prove they possess a supernatural or paranormal ability. However, entry is limited to “prominent” people like those named by the society to kick things off."Unclaimed
List of defunct prizes Date Location Challengers Offered prize Equivalent in dollars Details Status 1964–2015 United States JREF, One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge 1,000,000 US dollars $1,000,000 Launched by James Randi as $1,000 in 1964, raised to $10,000 by 1980, to $100,000 by 1989, and finally to a million in 1996. Since the launch of the James Randi Educational Foundation, applications were processed and tests prepared and conducted by a committee. In 2015 the challenge was officially terminated. Unclaimed. 1987–2002 France Gérard Majax, Henri Broch, Jacques Theodor, International Zetetic Challenge 200,000 Euro $242,949 Mediums and clairvoyants were challenged to show their powers, but all 275 candidates allegedly failed. Unclaimed 1928–1995 United States Joseph Dunninger, Houdini Magical Hall of Fame 31,000 US dollars $31,000 To anyone who can cause a suspended pencil in a sealed box to write a message on a pad of paper, also in the box. Unclaimed 2012 India Tarksheel Society 1,000,000 Indian rupees $15,011 To anyone who could correctly predict the election results in five Indian state assemblies. Unclaimed 2014 India Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations 1,000,000 Indian rupees $15,011 Correctly answer 21 out of 25 questions relating to future election results. Intended for astrologers, but open to anyone. Unclaimed 1985–1988 United States Paranormal Investigating Committee of Pittsburgh 10,000 US dollars $10,000 "[T]o anyone who can demonstrate successfully a psychic claim in a controlled examination." Unclaimed 2007–2009 United States Sanad Rashed, Ahmed Khaled Tawfik 5000 US dollars $5000 For proof ouija boards function as claimed. Unclaimed 2008 India Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations 200,000 Indian rupees $3002 Correctly answer 21 out of 25 questions relating to future election results. Intended for astrologers, but open to anyone. Unclaimed 1922 United States Scientific American 2500 US dollars $2500 Two $2,500 offers: (1) for the first authentic spirit photograph made under test conditions, or (2) for the first psychic to produce a "visible psychic manifestation." Unclaimed Unknown–2005 United States New York Area Skeptics 2000 US dollars $2000 Awarded to the successful completion of the JREF One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge. Unclaimed 1963–1978 India & Sri Lanka Abraham Kovoor 100,000 Sri Lankan rupees $634 Kovoor initiated the Abraham Kovoor's challenge starting in 1963. He inspired others like Randi and Premanand. He died in 1978. Unclaimed 2012–2013 Estonia Eesti Skeptik 500 Euro $607 Awarded to anyone who passed the Estonian preliminary test to the Belgian Sisyphus Prize. Unclaimed 2012–2013 Great Britain Association for Skeptical Enquiry 400 British pounds $551 Awarded to anyone who passed the British preliminary test to the Belgian Sisyphus Prize. Unclaimed1994–2022New ZealandStuart Landsborough (member of the NZ Skeptics)100,000 New Zealand dollars$60,000"[T]o anyone who could prove by psychic ability that they can indicate the exact location" of two halves of a promissory note hidden within an area of 100 metres inside Stuart Landsborough's Puzzling World. Over the years, the search area has been reduced from 5 kilometres to 100 metres and the prize doubled, but the note split in two to reduce the chance of winning by sheer luck. Contestants have to donate NZ$1,000 to charity if they fail.Unclaimed
Notes
References
Further reading (1975), Mediums, Mystics & the Occult. Thomas Y. Crowell Co. (1988), Parariteiten – een kritische blik op het paranormale. Het Spectrum.