Expedition grants
The Royal Geographical Society expedition grants fund original scientific fieldwork and expeditions worldwide to advance geographical knowledge through research, exploration, and local collaboration.
Funder: Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) (https://www.rgs.org)
Due Dates: January 8, 2027 (Ran and Ginny Fiennes Award, Neville Shulman Challenge Award, Gino Watkins Fund Awards) | February 15, 2027 (RGS Explore Grants)
Funding Amounts: £500–£10,000 depending on scheme; most awards range £2,000–£5,000; up to £10,000 for Shulman, up to £5,000 for Explore Grants, up to £4,000 for Gino Watkins Fund.
Summary: Supports original, challenging geographical fieldwork and expeditions worldwide, advancing knowledge through research, exploration, and local collaboration.
Description
The Royal Geographical Society’s expedition grants programme provides financial support for independent fieldwork and expeditions that further geographical knowledge through original research, exploration, and meaningful local engagement. Multiple award schemes are available, each with distinct aims, eligibility, and funding levels, but all prioritise ambitious projects that contribute to understanding environments, cultures, and peoples around the globe. Grants support both scientific and humanitarian expeditions, with special schemes for polar research, challenging journeys, and collaborative overseas projects.
