GRANTS & AWARDS
There are many awards, grants, fellowships and other opportunities available to further your exploration goals. These are only a sample. Check each grant/award website directly for details and deadlines. USA government grants have recently had many updates to requirements, and changes happen rapidly, so please review the specific program website frequently. Members/Fellows seeking support with awards or grants should contact Constance Scharff, PNW Chapter Grants/Awards Volunteer Coordinator.
PNW TEC Chapter Awards
Established in 2025, the PNW Chapter of the Explorers Club recognizes outstanding contributions to exploration and service to the chapter. The following awards may be awarded annually to one or more individuals:
The Tahoma Medal
Purpose: To honor exceptional service to the chapter or other notable achievements.
Criteria: Awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions through dedicated service, leadership, or remarkable accomplishments positively impacting the chapter and its mission.
Citation of Merit
Purpose: To recognize outstanding exploration feats or contributions to the welfare and goals of the chapter.
Criteria: Awarded to an individual or team demonstrating exceptional dedication to exploration or significantly advancing the chapter’s objectives.
To nominate, please use this form
The annual deadline for nominations is October 15.
Self-nominations and nominations from non-TEC members are accepted. Please send completed forms and materials to: cscharff@sbcglobal.net
TEC Pathfinder Grant (TEC)
This grant supports exploration and field research for those who are just beginning their research careers. We recommend applying if you are a graduate/post-graduate student or an early career scientist conducting fieldwork.
EC50 (TEC)
Each year, The Explorers Club recognizes 50 extraordinary people who are doing remarkable work to promote science and exploration, but remain under the radar and out of the limelight. This award is by nomination only. Nominees need not be TEC members, but nominators must be TEC members/fellows. Might be a good opportunity for research team members or associates.
Bioneers
Bioneers “acts as a fertile hub of social and scientific innovators with practical and visionary solutions for the world’s most pressing environmental and social challenges.” Each year they seek presenters for their annual conference. While highly competitive, this is an opportunity to bring new and different eyes to your research. Nominations usually open in April.
Fulbright
Offers a wide range of opportunities for researchers, graduate students, physicians, and others. The program tends to prefer people with university/institutional affiliations. Fulbright grants are currently expected to continue for 2027, but be in contact with a program representative from IIE for guidelines for your specific program. Award areas, research topics, and countries are constantly changing.
Explorers club impact grant (TEC)
“The Explorers Club Impact Grants support the critical fieldwork of researchers and explorers from around the world, while also providing them with a platform to illuminate their findings without restrictions on scientific publication or infringement on ownership of research.” This grant is highly competitive. It has a rolling deadline, but expect to apply a minimum of six months before your expedition.
Rising explorer grant (TEC)
The goal of this grant is to foster a new generation of explorers dedicated to advancing the scientific knowledge of our world. We recommend applying if you are a high school student, a college undergraduate, or an early career independent researcher.
Hidden Compass pathfinder prize
Awards $18,000 to one project annually. They’re looking for unique and compelling stories. The 2027 prize contest should open in early June 2026.
UNEP Champions of the earth
Every year, UNEP honors individuals and organizations working on innovative and sustainable solutions to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature, and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. Champions transform our economies, innovate, lead political change, fight environmental injustice, and defend our natural resources. The 2026 nomination cycle should be open in April 2026, but check the website for specifics. This organization prefers non-Western groups. Could be a great place to nominate research partner organizations in the Global South.
Association of fish & Wildlife agencies climate adaptation leadership award
The Climate Adaptation Leadership Awards (CALA) celebrate outstanding efforts to increase the resilience of America's valuable living natural resources and help sustain the many people, communities, and businesses that depend on them. Contact the organization directly for questions about the 2026 cycle.
John templeton foundation grants
They support interdisciplinary research and public engagement that align with their major funding areas. Generally, they are looking for unique ideas from groups that have clout and programs that are scalable.
National geographic grants
The organization funds individuals working on projects in science, conservation, storytelling, education, and technology that align with one or more of their focuses. Look regularly on their website for funding opportunities.
Foresight Fellowship
“The Foresight Fellowship is a one-year program committed to giving change-makers the support to accelerate their bold ideas into the future. Our mission is to catalyze collaboration among leading young scientists, engineers, and innovators who are working on emerging new technologies that have the power to transform society…. Fellows are invited to engage in events, connect with fellows and mentors, and help each other succeed with their endeavors.” They have programs in space and “existential hope.” Applications for the 2027 cohort close July 31, 2026.
NASA Internship Programs
“NASA’s internship programs provide training, mentoring, and career development opportunities while working with the best science, engineering, financial, information technology and business minds in the world.” Upcoming deadlines: Summer 2026 internships are due February 27, 2026 and Fall 2026 internships are due May 22, 2026. Check the website frequently for a variety of other opportunities.
Linus Pauling Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship
The “Linus Pauling Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship is designed for the next generation of scientists and engineers who will push the boundaries of science to world-recognized discoveries.” The deadline for this program is generally in August of each year. Check the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory website for details.
Global Partnership for Education Grants
“GPE supports partner countries to develop their own pathway to transform their education system by identifying key challenges, implementing priority reforms and aligning all stakeholders to achieve results.” Deadlines vary depending on the grant. If you’re working on a basis of giving back to communities in which you work, this could be one way to do it, by helping them get education grants.
ClimateWorks Foundation Grants Database
“From grassroots action to global policy, our grants support organizations and initiatives that are working to end the climate crisis.” This database has a range of grants. They are especially strong for grants to be used in China and India.
WINGS: Women of Discovery — Flag Program
“The WINGS Flag Carrier Program funds women who are leading original fieldwork that focuses on the natural world. This includes, but is not limited to, work with wildlife, oceans and water, pollution, climate change, agriculture, and the consequences of human impact on certain environments. The Flag Carrier Program also awards grants to women leading expeditions that focus on travel as a way to gain insight into the natural world, such as sailing across the oceans, cycling through the Himalayas, or skiing to the North or South Pole.”