Las Vegas multimillionaire offers $1 million in prizes for answering the question of whether there is life after death

• Robert Bigelow, 75, made his fortune from Budget Suites long-term rentals 
• In June he founded the Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies
• The Nevada think tank supports research into what happens after death
• On Monday the institute announced an essay competition with $1m in prizes
• Entrants must qualify as serious researchers by February 28
• Those participating need evidence of at least five years of study in the field
• A panel of academics and researchers into the brain will judge the entries
• The winner of the $500,000 first prize will be announced on November 1 

A maverick Las Vegas multimillionaire fascinated by extraterrestrials and space is offering $1 million in prizes for answers as to whether there is life after death.

Robert Bigelow, 75, the owner of Budget Suites of America, founded the Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies in June.

On Monday it announced an essay competition, for scientists with a track record in the field of neurology and psychology.