Explorers Club Rising Explorer Grant
Offered by The Explorers Club
About this scholarship
The Explorers Club Rising Explorer Grant helps high school students, college undergraduates, and independent researchers working at an equivalent level turn scientific questions into field research. The worldwide program supports projects across field-science disciplines such as biology, ecology, wildlife conservation, environmental science, archaeology, anthropology, and marine or freshwater research. Awards average approximately $2,000. A proposed project must be genuine science designed to collect evidence and add new knowledge; an adventure, sightseeing trip, ordinary school field trip, or travel experience without a research objective does not qualify. Applicants use the application embedded on the official grant page. The form asks for a clear project title and description, field location and methods, expedition timeline, detailed and accurate budget, plans for handling and sharing the findings, and available information about permits, ethics, and other responsible-research requirements. Two written recommendations or letters of support are required. Reviewers value a focused question, realistic plan, meaningful contribution, feasibility, and the applicant’s preparation to conduct and communicate the work. Grantees are also automatically considered for Explorers Club membership, creating access to a wider research and exploration network. The 2027 field-season application is currently open and must be submitted by August 31, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Eastern.
Eligibility
- Be a high school student, college undergraduate, or independent researcher working at an equivalent level
- May apply from any country
- Propose genuine field science designed to produce new knowledge
- Submit a clear project description, methods, location, and expedition timeline
- Provide a detailed and accurate project budget
- Explain how findings will be handled and shared
- Address applicable permits, ethics, and responsible-research considerations
- Provide two written recommendations or letters of support
- Submit the embedded application by August 31, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Eastern