Frequently asked questions about exploration
Questions about planning, funding, or joining an expedition or field project? We’re here to help.
On this page
- I am planning an expedition or field project. How can the Society help me?
- Will the Society fund my project?
- How can I find expeditions to join?
- I am going into the field. Can I do anything useful for the Society?
- Does the Society endorse expeditions or field projects?
- Do you consider unsolicited funding requests?
- How should I choose a gap year expedition provider?
- I'm a qualified medic. How can I get into expedition medicine?
I am planning an expedition or field project. How can the Society help me?
We maintain a wealth of practical resources for expedition planners and field practitioners, drawing on our 200-year history at the forefront of geographical exploration and updated for the modern-day explorer.
- Explore our core guidance: start with the support for practitioners webpages for a comprehensive overview.
- Deep-dive into our knowledge resources: the RGS Explore Resource Hub features multimedia content covering every stage of a project, from initial idea to practical implementation to reporting and dissemination, or check out our publications.
- Learn from past expeditions: search the RGS Expeditions Database to consult the records of over 10,000 expeditions spanning more than a century.
- Find an activity location: explore the World Field Centres Register to find opportunities for local collaboration.
- Connect with experts: consider Society membership to tap into the experience of over 15,000 members, join our monthly mailing list to hear about upcoming events and opportunities, or read about other ways to connect.
- Get tailored advice and guidance: if you need additional assistance, our specialist advisors are here to help. Contact the team.
Will the Society fund my project?
We offer a range of grants, fellowships and bursaries. Expeditions and field projects are central to this funding programme, supporting challenging and inspiring geographical exploration worldwide.
- Check your eligibility for our grants:
- Specific grants are available:
- For expeditioners: funding for purpose-driven journeys with the advancement of geographical knowledge at their heart. Learn more about expedition grants
- For students: from PhD data collection to undergraduate fieldwork. Learn more about student grants
- For researchers: supporting established researchers and early career academics. Learn more about research grants
- For teachers: funding for school fieldwork, expeditions, and geography teaching innovation. Learn more about teacher grants
- Meet previous grant recipients: over £160,000 in funding is typically awarded to 70+ teams and individuals in any given year.
- Read the grants FAQs: we publish detailed answers to a range of specific grants-related questions.
- Beyond the Society:
- We maintain a wide-ranging directory of grant-giving organisations funding expeditions and field projects.
- The RGS Explore Resource Hub offers resources on diverse funding topics.
- Budgeting tip: Have you created a detailed budget for your proposal? Learn about funding basics from the RGS Explore Resource Hub or find example budgets by searching past reports in the RGS Expeditions Database.
How can I find expeditions to join?
Want to join an existing expedition or overseas venture? We can help point you in the right direction:
- Find opportunities: search our directory of expedition opportunities to find teams and organisations recruiting for expeditions, as well as fieldwork, conservation, and volunteering placements.
- Check safety standards: use the consumer guide to British Standard BS 8848:2014 to ensure your chosen provider follows good safety practices.
- Stay updated: sign up for our monthly exploration community newsletter for regular news on new opportunities.
I'm going on an expedition. Can I do anything useful for the Society?
Absolutely! If your expedition contributes to the advancement of geographical knowledge, we're keen to help you disseminate your findings and stories.
- Share your experiences: write an expedition report and submit it to the RGS Expeditions Database.
- Contribute your outputs: we welcome articles, scientific papers, videos, images, and more. References can be included in the RGS Expeditions Database alongside your expedition records.
- Join our community: sign up for the monthly exploration community newsletter and/or apply for Society membership to connect with like-minded individuals.
Does the Society endorse expeditions or field projects?
The Society does not explicitly endorse individual endeavours. However, there are ways in which association with the Society can be shown:
- Grant recipients: projects funded through our grants programme can state they are "supported by the Royal Geographical Society" and may use our logo with prior permission.
- Partnerships: occasionally, projects form financial and/or strategic partnerships with us (e.g., the educational component of the Endurance22 expedition).
- Fellowship: Society Fellows can use the FRGS post-nominal in team profiles.
- Share your plans: register your expedition plans with the RGS Expeditions Database, update your progress, and file your post-expedition report. This helps others discover and learn from you, although it does not imply endorsement.
Do you consider unsolicited funding requests?
Unfortunately, no. We can only offer funding through our existing grant schemes. The Ran and Ginny Fiennes Award is open to out-of-cycle proposals where there is a demonstrably time-sensitive need for support.
Alternative funding
- Check our database of grant-giving organisations.
- Dig into the RGS Explore Resouce Hub for detailed advice on other ways to fund your expedition.
How should I choose a gap year expedition provider?
Make the most of your travels with our resources:
- Plan effectively: the RGS Gap Year Planning Toolkit guides you through options, whether travelling independently or with a provider.
- Find opportunities:
- Browse our directory of expedition opportunities.
- Explore the World Field Centres Register, many of which offer training courses.
- Prioritise safety: use the consumer guide to British Standard BS 8848:2014 to check provider safety practices.
I'm a qualified medic. How can I get into expedition medicine?
If you are a medical professional interested in expedition and wilderness medicine, we can serve your ambitions in a variety of ways:
- Join the community:
- Apply for Society Fellowship and participate in the RGS Expedition and Wilderness Medicine Advisory Group for discussion and advice.
- Network at the expedition medics’ gathering at our annual RGS Explore Weekend (each November).
- Gain experience: many organisations in our directory of expedition opportunities recruit expedition medics.
- Essential reading: the Oxford Handbook of Expedition and Wilderness Medicine is the authoritative work on the subject and remains vital for medics and team members in remote areas.
Question not answered here?
Find out how to contact the relevant members of our team. We will endeavour to respond to all enquiries within 10 working days.
Subscribe to the community newsletter
Want to stay updated on what’s going on in the world of geographical exploration? Sign up for our free community newsletter: a monthly round-up of news, events, resources, publications, and other highlights from around the world and the web.
- You will be asked to create a free Society account if you haven't already done so.
- Once logged in, navigate to My preferences and select News and events about fieldwork and expeditions.
