Conference FAQs | Conference 1 | Conference 2 | Conference 3

How to apply to participate in a STARS conference.
1. Applicant must be either a scientist or a humanities / religion scholar. Note: The scientific fields that qualify include the following and closely related fields: physics, astronomy, cosmology, astrophysics, physical chemistry, chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, evolutionary biology, astrobiology, computer science, artificial intelligence, cognitive sciences, neuroscience, psychology or mathematics.

The fields that qualify in the humanities / religion are: philosophy of science, philosophy of religion, history of science, history of religion, phenomenology of religion, religious studies, or the theology of a living religious tradition (e.g., Buddhist theology, Christian theology, Islamic theology, etc.).

2. Applicant must have a Ph.D. or equivalent, or is an ABD (all but dissertation) status graduate student.

3. Applicant must have a record of publications in professional journals including but not limited to refereed journals.

4. Applicant must submit a statement of interest (up to 1500 words) that indicates which of the three conferences they wish to attend and that demonstrates their understanding of and passion for pursuing the way the scientific topics to be showcased at the designated conference raises questions about the ultimate nature, meaning and significance of the universe: in short, questions marking the path from science to the transcendent.

5. Acknowledgement of the conditions for acceptance (the applicant acknowledges that if accepted for the conference, they will be required to pay a registration fee).

6. Ph.D. students need to arrange for at least one letter of reference to be sent the STARS office. See our "contact us" page for address.

Conference Application Due Date Conference applications are due June 15, 2006. To submit a complete application, applications must include the application form and accompanying materials. Please refer to the application checklist when preparing your application. Applicants will be accepted based on the recommendations of a panel of distinguished judges. Conference applicants will be notified around August 1st as to whether or not they are selected to attend a January 2007 Conference.



Summary: to be complete, the application package must include:

  • 1. Full contact information
  • 2. Current cv
  • 3. Two sample publications
  • 4. Statement of interest in attending the conference (up to 1500 words)
  • 5. Acknowledgement of the conditions for acceptance
    • (the applicant acknowledges that if accepted for the conference, they will be required to pay a registration fee)
  • 6. At least one letter of reference for Ph.D. students only

Conference FAQs | Conference 1 | Conference 2 | Conference 3

Conference Costs

All on the ground costs will be covered by CTNS, including lodging, meals, and local transportation. Airfare assistance is available for qualified applicants, and may be requested during the application process.

Conference Registration Fee
If selected to attend a STARS Conference, conference participants will be expected to pay the conference registration fee when notified of acceptance. Conference fees are:
• $125 for CTNS members (for CTNS membership details, please go to: www.ctns.org/membership.html)
• $175 for non-members


Additional costs for family members per person, per day during the conference are:
•  Adults: $255 (double occupancy)
•  Kids: $63

The registration fee will be fully refundable until November 1, 2006.


STARS lecturers, judges, advisors, consultants, and CTNS staff: Policy on Ineligibility


1. Lecturers, judges, advisors, consultants, and CTNS staff are disqualified from serving as a PI or co-PI of a STARS grant.


2. Judges and CTNS staff are disqualified from serving as members of a research team funded by a STARS grant, but lecturers, advisors, and consultants are not disqualified.


3. Lecturers, judges, advisors, consultants, and CTNS staff can be included as an outside resource in a grant funded by STARS. When serving as an outside resource, expenses incurred in travel / per diem and other costs by lecturers, advisors, and consultants for their participation in the grant research can be reimbursed through the STARS grant, but the expenses incurred by judges and CTNS staff cannot be reimbursed through the STARS grant.


4. There is no limitation or restriction on reference to and the inclusion of the publications of lecturers, judges, advisors, consultants, and CTNS staff in STARS research, or of interactions between them and the research team.