A billionaire is offering a huge reward for anyone who can find proof of life after death.

Ghost

Ghost

Robert Bigelow set up the Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies (BICS) after the passing of his wife Diane last year and has challenged people to submit papers on the topic to claim a prize of $500,000.

BICS explained that they hope the essays focus on scientific evidence that life goes on after death and asks for documents supporting the case.

The website states: "The purpose of the BICS essay awards is to raise the public awareness for the Survival of Human Consciousness topic and to stimulate research.

"The goal of the essay contest is to award contestants for writing papers that summarise the best evidence available for the survival of human consciousness after permanent bodily death."