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Every year we support nearly 100 field research projects and expeditions with our range of grants for students, academics, explorers and teachers, helping develop new knowledge and advance geographical science in the UK and around the world. We are now accepting applications for the 2027 funding cycle, with deadlines in November and January. Whether you’re a student, teacher or researcher, discover what’s on offer.

Grants for independent explorers and researchers 

Are you an independent explorer or researcher looking to further understanding of the planet, its cultures, peoples and environments, and share what you find with the world? If so, we have a variety of awards and grants on offer. 

  • This year, we launched the Kensington Fieldwork Grant, four annual awards of £25,000 for experienced researchers, explorers, and storytellers to support impactful field research and expeditions.
  • The Neville Shulman Challenge Award offers two awards of £10,000 each to individuals or teams planning an intellectually or physically challenging research project or expedition. 
  • RGS Explore Grants provide £5,000 to teams embarking on their first expeditions.
  • The Ran and Ginny Fiennes Award is designed to support the next generation of emerging explorers and expeditioners with grants of £2,000 to £5,000. The award is given in support of humanitarian, scientific or educational projects which follow in the Transglobe Expedition’s tradition of challenge and perseverance.
  • The Gino Watkins Fund Awards offer up to £4,000 towards expeditions that aim to improve knowledge of the polar regions, one of the least known but most important parts of our planet.  

Grants for researchers 

The Society has grants available to support academic research, ranging from £3,500 to £15,000. The Ralph Brown Expedition Award, Walters Kundert Fellowship and Thesiger-Oman International Fellowships support research taking place in aquatic, Arctic/high mountain, and arid/semi-arid environments, respectively. 

For work across the full breadth of geography and related disciplines, the Kensington Fieldwork Grant offer four annual awards of £25,000 for experienced researchers, while the Gilchrist Fieldwork Award offers £15,000 to teams of established researchers undertaking challenging fieldwork overseas. 

Specifically for post-PhD, early-career researchers, our Small Research Grants offer up to £3,500 for desk or field-based research in any area of geography.   

Grants for students 

We offer a range of grants for undergraduate, Masters and PhD research, with values ranging from £1,000 to £5,000. Each year the Society supports around 30 university-student projects.   

Grants for innovations in teaching and learning and for school fieldwork 

If you are a primary or secondary school teacher organising school fieldwork in 2027, you can apply for the Frederick Soddy Schools Award for up to £700 to support your trip. The Ray Y Gildea Jr Award supports innovation in teaching and learning in higher and secondary education, with grants of up to £1,500 awarded annually. 

Deadlines for Society grants run from 16 November 2026 to 8 January 2027. Please view the full list of deadlines. 

For more details, visit our website or contact us at grants@rgs.org. 

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