Who Can He Be?
The Challenge to Replicate the Shroud
$1 Million Challenge to British Museum Now Extended Worldwide
Entry Process and Timeline for Challenge Applicants
Applications to participate in the $1 Million Challenge must be submitted by May 31, 2025. All applications will be scrutinized and assessed by the Performco Ltd. judge, Paolo Di Lazzaro (bio appears below.) Then, on July 19, 2025, up to three successful applicants will be notified that they have been accepted to compete in The Challenge.
Performco Ltd will supply each successful applicant with up to three lengths of linen identical in weave and weight to the Shroud at cost price - soon to be determined. This cloth must be used to create the replica. The replica submission date is May 2, 2026. Also submitted to Performco at that time are additional required deliverables mentioned below. Any submissions received after May 2, 2026, will be disqualified.
Click the button below to view and download the Application Form
To return this application, print the pages, scan and email to david.rolfe@performco.co.uk
Each application will be evaluated against a number of key criteria including:
- number of people participating;
- skill-sets and expertise of individuals involved;
- knowledge of the Shroud and in particular, the characteristics and properties of its markings;
- access to equipment capable of microscopically examining the result of their attempts to replicate the Shroud markings;
- ability and willingness to commit sufficient time and resource to the $1 Million Challenge.
Applications will only be accepted from individuals or organizations which can demonstrate sufficient understanding, resource and commitment to make a credible attempt at the $1 Million Challenge.
There will be an agreement between Performco Ltd. and the up to three selected applicants prior to entering the Challenge. This agreement to be governed by English law with arbitration in London, England.
On January 31, 20265, about midway between the application notification date of July 19, 2025, and the submission date of May 2, 2025, the applicants must provide Performco a five-minute video update. The video must outline the progress made at the halfway mark.
After May 2, 2026, the submitted replicas will be examined by Paolo Di Lazzaro - a distinguished, internationally known, respected physicist and Shroud expert (bio below). A second judge of equal stature will be announced long before the judging begins. Both judges will determine whether the applicants have created a replica that complies with the eight evaluation criteria.
Applicants who submitted Shroud replicas will be notified by November 25, 2026, whether their submission successfully complied with the eight evaluation criteria. If so, the applicant(s) will qualify for the $1 million Challenge prize. If there is more than one successful entry, the $1 million Challenge prize will be divided equally between the successful entries
Bio of Application and Replica Judge - Paolo Di Lazzaro
Paolo Di Lazzaro is a physicist and Research Director at ENEA, Frascati (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development). Di Lazzaro is also the deputy director of Centro Internazionale di Studi sulla Sindone (CISS), located in Turin, Italy. Known as the “Shroud Centro” it is the official guardian authority and day-to-day caretaker of the Shroud of Turin. He is also the author or co-author of over 300 scientific papers, including several covering Shroud-related scientific investigations.
Second judge to be announced
Submission Deliverables
Each submitted entry must consist of each of the following:
- A linen cloth provided for the Challenge by Performco with markings that replicate those seen on the Turin Shroud and satisfy the eight evaluation criteria. Entries MUST NOT SHOW the prominent linear burn marks from the well-documented 1532 fire in Chambery, France. These distinctive marks post-date the existing known and unquestioned minimum age of the Shroud, which is 1356 in Lirey, France.
- A Process Document containing a detailed, step-by-step description of the process used to create the markings on the submitted replica. The Process Document should contain full descriptions of any materials or equipment used, as well as any metrics relevant to each step of the process (e.g. temperature, timings, etc).
- A 4k resolution video of every material step of the process. This video will be submitted to Performco Ltd. in stages throughout the process. Performco Ltd. will have exclusive rights to broadcast the material for a period of 2 years from the date of submission of their attempt.
The successful applicant must also grant a filmed interview with Performco Ltd. at key stages of their attempt.
Disclaimer
Performco Ltd. underwrites this $1 Million Challenge. All decisions regarding the $1 Million Challenge, including assessment and approval of applications and evaluation of any submissions that attempt to replicate the Shroud, will be made by Performco Ltd’s independent judging panel and are final.
Contact
For further information regarding the $1 Million Challenge please email david.rolfe@performco.co.uk
Performco Ltd. Town Hall, Penn Road, Beaconsfield, Bucks HP9 2PP
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