Expedition grants
RGS Expedition Grants fund ambitious fieldwork and research projects worldwide that advance geographical knowledge across physical and human geography.
Funder: Royal Geographical Society
Due Dates: January 8, 2027: RGS Explore Grants | January 8, 2027: Kensington Fieldwork Grant | January 8, 2027: Neville Shulman Challenge Award | January 8, 2027: Ran and Ginny Fiennes Award | January 8, 2027: The Gino Watkins Fund Awards
Funding Amounts: £500–£25,000 per award; most grants range from £2,000–£25,000 depending on scheme and project scope; durations typically 1 year.
Summary: Supports ambitious fieldwork and expeditions that advance geographical knowledge, with multiple grant streams for diverse research and exploration projects worldwide.
Key Information: Multiple parallel schemes—eligibility, award size, and focus vary by grant; see details below.
Description
The Royal Geographical Society (RGS) Expedition Grants programme funds impactful fieldwork and adventurous expeditions that expand geographical knowledge, foster local collaboration, and inspire new understanding of the world’s environments and peoples. These grants support a wide range of research and exploration activities—from scientific field studies and humanitarian projects to creative storytelling—across physical and human geography, with opportunities tailored to early-career researchers, experienced explorers, and interdisciplinary teams.
The programme encompasses several distinct awards, each with its own priorities, eligibility criteria, and funding levels. Applicants are encouraged to review the specific requirements of each scheme to identify the best fit for their project.
