WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Having already disbursed millions of dollars to worthy recipients over the past six years, The Roddenberry Foundation today launches a new award – The Roddenberry Prize – an annual $1 million in support of innovative solutions that address humanity's greatest challenges. The announcement comes from Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry, son of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, to kick off a three-day celebration of the 50th anniversary of Star Trek.

The inaugural Roddenberry Prize consists of one $400,000 grand prize and four $150,000 innovation awards, disbursed in lump sums to five recipients, complementing several new foundation initiatives. Encouraging a new generation of social innovators inspired by the ethos of Star Trek, The Roddenberry Prize is open to anyone – from nonprofit institutions to individual garage-tinkerers – who has an innovative solution that could benefit humanity in areas as diverse as poverty, obesity, education, or the environment.

"We launched The Roddenberry Foundation to build on my father's legacy and philosophy of inclusion, diversity and respect for life to meaningfully improve the lives of people around the world," said Rod Roddenberry. "With today's launch of The Roddenberry Prize, we hope to heighten awareness of the critical needs that many face on this planet, and unleash the imagination and drive of those inspired to do something about it."

The announcement of The Roddenberry Prize builds upon the momentum of the foundation's #BoldlyBetter campaign, which seeks to inspire the public's participation in a "boldly better" future. "The more people we can engage in thinking about and working on these pressing global problems, the closer we'll come to solving them," added Rod. The Prize application period is open today and closes November 16, 2016. Following a judges' panel selection, winners will be announced in January 2017, to align with the premiere of the upcoming CBS series, Star Trek: Discovery. Applications and criteria can be found at The Roddenberry Foundation's prize website at RoddenberryPrize.org (website to go live at 5:00PM PST / 8:00PM EST to coincide with the announcement which will be livestreamed on The Roddenberry Foundation Facebook page).

Images available upon request.

About The Roddenberry Foundation

Launched in 2010, The Roddenberry Foundation is committed to finding and supporting remarkable people and organizations who can disrupt existing dynamics, challenge old patterns of thought, and discover new ways to help us move towards a better future. The foundation provides grants to accelerate the development of great, untested ideas and invest in models that are challenging the status quo and improving the human condition. Together, these interconnected initiatives offer opportunities for original thinkers and innovators from all walks to life to pursue significant, lasting change.

http://roddenberryfoundation.org

SOURCE The Roddenberry Foundation

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http://www.roddenberryfoundation.org

