National Institute for Discovery Science

National Institute for Discovery Science
(NIDSci)
Founded	1995
Defunct	2004
Headquarters	Las Vegas, Nevada
	Footnotes / references; website contains NIDSCI PDFs and other files

Short description: Independent anomaly research organization

The National Institute for Discovery Science (NIDSci) was a privately financed research organization based in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, and operated from 1995 to 2004. It was founded in 1995 by real-estate developer Robert Bigelow, who set it up to research and advance serious study of various fringe science and paranormal topics, most notably ufology.^[1]^[2] Deputy Administrator Colm Kelleher was quoted as saying the organization was not designed to study UFOs only. "We don't study aliens, we study anomalies. They're the same thing in a lot of people's minds, but not in our minds."^[3] NIDSci was disbanded in October 2004.

History

The National Institute for Discovery Science, known also as NIDS, was founded by Robert Bigelow serving as a way to channel funds into the scientific study of paranormal phenomena. The NIDS performed research in the area of cattle mutilation and black triangle reports.^[1]

The NIDSci bought Skinwalker Ranch after journalist George Knapp first wrote about it in 1996, and Deputy Administrator Colm Kelleher led the investigation for a number of years.^[4]^[5]

A hotline was established in 1999 to receive reports of odd occurrences. Over 5,000 calls and e-mails were received by the organization.^{[citation needed]}^[vague] Officials say many were explained as missile test launches and meteors.^[3]