This statement outlines the rules covering an offer concerning psychic, supernatural or paranormal claims. Since claims vary greatly in character and scope, specific rules must be formulated for each applicant. All applicants must agree to the rules set forth here before any formal agreement can be entered into. Applicant will declare agreement by signing this form where indicated before a notary public and returning the form to the James Randi Educational Foundation. Test procedures must be agreed upon by both parties before any testing will take place. We do not act as judges nor do we design the protocol independently of the claimant. All applicants must identify themselves properly before any discussion takes place. Due to the large amount of correspondence exchanged on this subject, applicants must send a stamped, self-addressed envelope, or in the case of foreign letters, only a self-addressed envelope. This offer is administered by The James Randi Educational Foundation, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
I, James Randi, through the James Randi Educational Foundation, will pay the sum of US$1,000,000 (One Million Dollars) to any person or persons who can demonstrate any psychic, supernatural or paranormal ability of any kind under satisfactory observing conditions. Such demonstration must take place under these rules and limitations:
This offer is managed and guaranteed by the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF), Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Applicant must state clearly in advance, and the applicant and Mr. Randi will agree upon, just what powers or abilities will be demonstrated, the limits of the proposed demonstration (so far as time, location and other variables are concerned) and what will constitute both a positive and a negative result. This is the primary, basic, and most important of these rules.
Only an actual performance of the stated nature and scope within the agreed-upon limits, will be accepted. Anecdotal accounts of previous events are not accepted or considered. We have no interest in theories or explanations of how the claimed powers might work; do not provide us with such material.
Applicant agrees that all data (photographic, recorded, written, etc.) of any sort gathered as a result of the testing may be used freely by JREF in any way Mr. Randi may choose.
Tests will be designed in such a way that no "judging" procedure is required. Results will be self-evident to any observer, in accordance with the rules which will be agreed upon by all parties in advance of any formal testing procedure taking place. No part of the testing procedure may be changed in any way without the express agreement of all parties concerned. Mr. Randi, though present at formal tests, will not directly interact with the materials used.
The applicant may be asked and/or required to perform informally before an appointed representative, if distance and time dictate that need, for purposes of determining if the applicant is likely to perform as promised. This is to eliminate the need for formal testing in such cases. There is no limit on the number of times an applicant may re-apply.
All expenses such as transportation, accommodation and/or other costs incurred by the applicant/claimant in pursuing the reward, are the sole responsibility of the applicant/claimant.
When entering into this challenge, applicant surrenders any and all rights to legal action against Mr. Randi, and against the James Randi Educational Foundation, as far as this may be done by established statutes. This applies to injury, accident, or any other damage of a physical or emotional nature and/or financial, or professional, loss of any kind. However, this rule in no way affects the awarding of the prize.
At the formal test, an independent person will be placed in charge of a personal check from James Randi for US$10,000. In the event that the claimant is successful under the agreed terms and conditions, that check shall be immediately surrendered to the claimant, and within ten days the James Randi Educational Foundation will pay to the claimant the remainder of the reward (total US$1,000,000 as of June, 1998). One million dollars in negotiable bonds is held by a major financial house, in a special "James Randi Educational Foundation Prize Account," as surety for the prize funds. Validation of this account and its current status may be obtained by contacting the Foundation at: 1-954-467-1112, fax 1-954-467-1660.
Copies of this present document are available free of charge to any person who sends the required self-addressed envelope requesting it, or can be downloaded from the Internet.
This offer is made by James Randi through the JREF, and not on behalf of any other person, agency or organization, though others may become involved in the examination of claims, others may add their reward money to the total in certain circumstances, and the implementation and management of the challenge will be carried out by James Randi via the James Randi Educational Foundation. JREF will not entertain any demand that the prize money be deposited in escrow, displayed in cash, or otherwise produced in advance of the test being performed. JREF will not cater to such vanities.
This offer is open to any and all persons, in any part of the world, regardless of gender, race, educational background, etc., and will continue in effect until the prize is awarded. Upon the death of James Randi, the administration of the prize will pass into other hands, and it is intended that it continue in force.
EVERY APPLICANT MUST AGREE UPON WHAT WILL CONSTITUTE A CONCLUSION THAT, ON THE OCCASION OF THE FORMAL TEST, HE OR SHE DID OR DID NOT DEMONSTRATE THE CLAIMED ABILITY OR POWER.
Please accompany this notarized form with a brief two paragraph description of what will constitute the demonstration.
NOTE: No special rules, exceptions, conditions, standards, or favors will be accepted, without mutual agreement of those concerned in advance and any applicant who refuses to agree to meet the rules as outlined here, will not be considered to have ever been a claimant. Only complete agreement with these rules will constitute the "applicant" being considered a "claimant." Applicant, by signing, notarizing and returning this form, signifies agreement with all of the above rules.
(signed) James Randi
201 East. Davie Boulevard (S.E. 12th Street)
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316-1815 U.S.A.
USA
Notarized:
(signature of claimant)
Please be advised that several claimants have suffered great personal embarrassment after failing these tests. I strongly advise you to conduct proper double-blind tests of any ability you believe you can demonstrate, before attempting to undergo a testing for this prize. This has saved me and many claimants much time and work, by showing that the powers were quite imaginary on the part of the would-be claimant. Please do this, and do not choose to ignore the need for such a precaution.
-- James Randi
The publishing was authorized by the author of the original essay.
Published: 04/21/2002