The UFO Research Coalition was established in 1994 as an umbrella organization under which the following three major American UFO associations could jointly conduct major scientific research projects. The Coalition and its three components are 501(c) (3) non-profit corporations.

The Fund for UFO Research Inc.

The Fund was established in 1979 in the Washington, DC, area for the primary purpose of raising money to support scientific research and educational programs aimed at shedding light on the UFO mystery. It subsequently became active in press and Congressional relations. Its main organizers were laser physicist Dr. Bruce Maccabee, former NICAP Acting Director Richard Hall and LCdr Tom Deuley (USN, Ret.).

The Mutual UFO Network Inc.

It was established in 1973 by Walter Andrus as the Midwest UFO Network. For most of its life it was based in Seguin, Texas, and has been in Denver, Colorado, since John Schuessler became International Director in 2000. MUFON operates a worldwide system of regional directors for field investigations of UFO sighting reports, holds an annual national symposium and publishes the monthly MUFON Journal..

The J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies Inc.

Established in Chicago, Illinois in 1973 by Dr. J. Allen Hynek, astronomer and long-time scientific consultant on UFOs to the U. S. Air Force. Its purpose: “To promote serious scientific interest in UFOs and to serve as an archive for reports, documents and publications”. Under its Director, Dr. Mark Rodeghier, it publishes the quarterly International UFO Reporter and the occasional peer-reviewed Journal of UFO Studies.

The UFO Research Coalition has been joined in its present activities by representatives of other substantial associations:

Ted Rowe, Executive Director of the National Aviation Reporting Center on Anomalous Phenomena in Boulder Creek, Calif., which exists to “enhance aviation safety and scientific knowledge” through the collection and study of reports of unexplained phenomena which might pose a hazard to aircraft.

Dr. Colm Kelleher, Administrator of the National Institute for Discovery Science, based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was founded in the mid-1990’s as a privately funded scientific institute engaged in the research of aerial and other related phenomena.

Peter Davenport, Director of the National UFO Reporting Center, in Seattle, Washington, which was established in 1974 and is now the largest recipient of first-hand reports of UFOs.