Mars One was set up in 2011 by two Dutch men with the goal of establishing permanent human life on the red planet by 2025.
The shortlist includes 36 British men and women. ITV News spoke to a selection of them about why they would want to leave Earth forever.
Ryan MacDonald, 20
He is single and has no children but says his younger sister would rather he stayed on Earth.
"By going to Mars I suspect I could accomplish much more for science than I could as one of seven billion people on Earth," says Ryan.
"I want to be the eyes and hands of all the researchers that can’t go themselves."
Danielle Potter, 29
She is already in a long-distance relationship with her partner who lives in Florida and likes the sound of being in the first ever interplanetary relationship.
Her family, she says, are sad about the prospect of her never returning to Earth and would "start petitions all over Manchester" to stop her going.
"The opportunity has come and I want to be a part of the most historic thing to ever happen in our galaxy," she says.
"I decided to become a scientist because I was excited by carrying out novel research - that’s what motivates me."
Dr Keith Evans, 27
An avid gamer, he would take a portable video games machine with him if selected.
"Of all the Mars missions I've seen announced in my lifetime, Mars One is by far the most technologically and logistically plausible," he says.
"The reason for this is, of course, the fact that it is one way and that it is a private endeavour so there is no need for a return vehicle and no politics."
Hannah Earnshaw, 22
She says she doesn't have a house or car or any pets to leave behind but would miss her family and friends.
"I think a Martian colony has so many benefits, from the development of new survival technologies to the social impact of people understanding a little more what it means to be living on the same planet by watching those on a different one," Hannah says.
"I want to be one of the people who helps to build the colony and make it a reality."
Alison Rigby, 33
She would leave behind her boyfriend but believes he would follow her to Mars on a subsequent mission.
"Mars is a very cold, dry, inhospitable place and we will have to carve a niche for humanity out of the Martian soil," says Alison.
"However the people coming after us, either from Mars One or from other missions, will have it slightly easier because of the efforts of the first pioneers."
Damian Evans, 41
He says there has been "a lot of positive reaction" to the prospect of him leaving Earth.
"I expect that we will find life somewhere on Mars," says Damian.
"I don't expect to find little green aliens, but most likely I think we will find some simple lifeforms such as bacteria, but who knows? I will remain open minded."
Gillian Finnerty, 21
She is excited about the prospect of kickstarting a new era of human exploration but says her parents are "worried about the high risk of me dying."
"I'm worried about the future of life here on Earth - things need to change quickly and drastically if we want to keep living like this," says Gillian.
"Hopefully the Mars One habitat and crew will inspire people on Earth to use sustainable energy and grow their own food, which would help reverse anthropogenic climate change."
