entity

National Institute for Discovery Science

Also known as: NIDS

Facts (11)

Sources

How the Pentagon Started Taking U.F.O.s Seriously | The New Yorker newyorker.com The New Yorker Apr 30, 2021 8 facts

claimIn 1995, Robert Bigelow established the National Institute for Discovery Science, a privately funded institute dedicated to researching aerial phenomena, animal mutilations, and other anomalous phenomena.

claimHal Puthoff worked as a consultant for the National Institute for Discovery Science and previously worked on Project Stargate, a C.I.A. program investigating the utility of remote viewing in Cold War espionage.

claimRobert Bigelow shut down the National Institute for Discovery Science in 2004 following a purported decrease in domestic paranormal activity, though he retained ownership of Skinwalker Ranch.

claimRobert Bigelow closed the National Institute for Discovery Science in 2004 due to a purported decrease in domestic paranormal activity, though he retained ownership of Skinwalker Ranch.

claimRobert Bigelow established the National Institute for Discovery Science in 1995 to research aerial phenomena, animal mutilations, and other anomalous phenomena.

claimRobert Bigelow closed the National Institute for Discovery Science in 2004 but retained ownership of Skinwalker Ranch.

claimRobert Bigelow shut down the National Institute for Discovery Science in 2004, citing a decrease in domestic paranormal activity.

claimHal Puthoff worked as a consultant for the National Institute for Discovery Science and had a background in paranormal studies, including the CIA's Project Stargate, which investigated the use of remote viewing for Cold War espionage.

Ufology: From Fringe to Mainstream to Fringe? - Skeptic Magazine skeptic.com Skeptic Feb 20, 2026 3 facts

claimHarperCollins is scheduled to publish a memoir by Jay Stratton in 2026, which is expected to address the history of UAP-related programs including NIDS, BAASS, AAWSAP, and AATIP.

claimRobert Bigelow, a billionaire space entrepreneur and owner of Skinwalker Ranch, previously funded the National Institute for Discovery Science (NIDS), an organization that investigated fringe science topics.

claimHal Puthoff, a parapsychologist, served as the Chairman of the Board for the National Institute for Discovery Science (NIDS) and previously managed a program at the Stanford Research Institute with Russell Targ to investigate paranormal phenomena.