Anyone with an idea for an unusual expedition abroad, or for a trip that has a purpose other than a holiday, should seek details about available grants. There’s a wide range of bodies willing to help with the cost of mounting an expedition. Some of them are also able to attract publicity and further sponsorship.
Don’t Delay
It’s vital, though, to start looking for support without delay. Some grant applications can take a while to process. Others lay down criteria that an expedition team may not be able to meet straightaway.
Universities
One common source of expedition funding is universities. University College London (UCL), for example, has an expeditions and travel committee.
The UCL committee makes annual awards of expedition grants to teams of students who wish to explore challenging environments around the globe. These environments must demand unique team and organisational skills.
Individual UCL students can also apply for travel grants. Again, the travel must be challenging. It should also have a clear purpose and require personal initiative.
Another instance of a higher education body with a travel and education committee is the University of East Anglia. The committee not only gives grants to students who wish to travel; it also suggests additional sources of finance.
Royal Geographical Society
The Royal Geographical Society has grants available for teachers, researchers, postgraduates and undergraduates.
The Society has a total of around 25 grants and awards. These provide funds to 40 – 50 teams each year.
The Journey of a Lifetime award, for example, is for a trip to any destination on the planet. The funding is £4,000.
The Neville Shulman Challenge Award goes to a team that increases understanding of the world through exploration. The amount of the award is up to £8,000.
Tell us what you need funding for and we will match you with the types of UK grant most likely to accept your application.
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The Young Explorers’ Trust (YET) has a grant scheme for anyone under 19. The purpose of the scheme is to help young people engage in adventurous expeditions. Such expeditions must have YET approval. Other YET awards include the David Hollier Expedition Award and the Stephenson Expedition Award.
The David Hollier Award does not insist on certain criteria. But successful applicants usually have connections with scouting or the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.
The Stephenson Expedition Award generally goes to polar expeditions.
Gilchrist Educational Trust
The Gilchrist Educational Trust in West Sussex has grants of £1,000 - £2,000 for small or medium-sized expedition teams. A team must intend to conduct scientific research. Team members must also be willing to contribute their own money towards expedition costs.
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
British Mountaineering Council
The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) can supply money for international climbing expeditions. Applicants must be BMC members. They should also show that a grant would make a substantial difference to the proposed trip.
British Sub-Aqua Club
The British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) runs an expeditions grant scheme known as BEGS. Every year, BSAC has five expedition awards, each worth £1,000. The purpose of a BSAC expedition must be to discover new dive sites or improve the skills of a team of divers. To apply, divers must be BSAC members.
Support
The above are just a few examples of expedition and travel grants in the UK. The country has a long tradition of supporting exploration; so those who have a proposal for a trip may well find help.
Would you be able to advise me if there are any grants available to apply for, either individually or as a group for teens wanting to fundraise and take part in a Camps international 4 week expedition.
Many thanks.
I am intended to go around the Earth.
This will be mostly to see and report the 7 miracles. The travel will be on a bike (good quality electric bike). Some parts of the route, specially the far eastern part of the hemisphere. The trip will take around 4 months, I will stay in a hotel or a lodge every 2 days.
This trip will cost around £20000, this will include the money that I leave for my family here in the UK. I will video all the trip which will benefit many peoples and body’s. Also, will learn everyone that everything is possible.
Furthermore, I will depict all the parts of my travel.
For me, apart from the knowledge and experience, I will be more heathy, and I will know somethings about the nations I pass through, and I will convey this knowledge to everyone.
Kind regards
Kamal Elmahboub.
54 years old
**Project Overview:**
The expedition, scheduled for August 2025, will focus on rural community projects and marine conservation projects . Our team comprises experienced environmental scientists, educators, and community outreach specialists committed to making a lasting impact on the region.
**Objectives:**
1. Conduct in-depth ecological research to better understand and document the unique biodiversity in the targeted areas.
2. Implement conservation initiatives to protect endangered species and their habitats.
3. Collaborate with local communities to promote sustainable practices and raise awareness about environmental conservation.
**Budget Breakdown:**
Grant Money will help with accommodation, research equipment, community outreach programs, and other essential expenses.
**Expected Outcomes:**
1. A report detailing our findings and recommendations for conservation efforts.
2. Increased awareness and engagement within local communities regarding environmental issues.
3. Implementation of sustainable practices that contribute to the long-term well-being of the region.
**Why Your Support Matters:**
By supporting our expedition, you will play a pivotal role in preserving Costa Rica's unique ecosystems and promoting a sustainable future for both its wildlife and communities. Your investment will contribute to global efforts to combat biodiversity loss and climate change.
**Conclusion:**
We believe that this expedition will not only generate valuable scientific knowledge but also foster a sense of responsibility and stewardship among local communities. We kindly request Grant Money to make this ambitious project a reality.
Thank you for considering my application. I am available for any additional information.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Hammond
It promises to be an educational, life changing and beneficial trip. During my time in Peru, I will gain an understanding of the community and culture. I will also be involved with community based product work and contribute to making the community better for the people who live there. In addition to this, I will be helping to build stable housing including schools, helping to improve education in the area. I will also be helping with the provision of clean water and sanitary facilities which will improve sanitation and hygiene. Towards the end of the expedition, I will join a 4 day trek to a 15th-century Inca citadel located in the Eastern Cordillera of southern Peru. We will be camping at several locations along the way. This expedition, as well as involving me in the Peruvian culture, will benefit the community and also help me develop my leadership, communication and team skills. All the experience and skills I gain will further my education, broaden my horizon for job opportunities and benefit me later in life. The total cost of this expedition is £4,180. I am responsible for raising this amount by the deadline of 1st May 2024.
In order to finance this expedition, I will be holding various fundraising events but I also hope to secure some sponsorship, contributions and donations. If you would like to help me with this challenge, be it in the form of a contribution, donation, all contributions will be gratefully received and appreciated.
Thank you,
Skye
I'm here to ask for some support / a grant.
What is available to be supported for travel and accommodation?
There's a indigenous medicine healing facility that I want to experience.
Id like to bring back information into the world and for my own healing and personal exploration to be human.
I'm interested in self discovery of the human experience.
Thank you.
We will also help the locals living in rural areas who are in poverty and need basic resources. Some things we'll be doing are helping to dig foundations for classrooms, collecting litter to be recycled, and spending time with the local children there, teaching them English and learning about their culture. This is a great opportunity for me and would be very useful for my future. I am fundraising all the money and need to make a total of £4,570. I am asking for a minimum of £500 and I would appreciate all the help i can get in achieving this goal as due to Covid-19 fundraising has become extremely difficult.
Thank you for your time
Many thanks in advance
Thank you for reading and hope you consider me,
Alex James Taylor
Not only will we be helping animals and planting trees, we will also help the locals living in rural areas who are in poverty and need basic resources. Some things we'll be doing is helping to dig foundations for a classroom, collecting rubbish to be recycled, and spending time with the local children there, teaching them English and learning about their culture. This is a great opportunity for me and would be very useful for my future. I am fundraising all the money and need to make a total of £4,570. I would appreciate your help in achieving this goal and experiencing this amazing opportunity.
My daughter is signed up for a trip to trek Borneo jungle and support with community projects in 2020. When we agreed to this trip it was totally affordable however since this due to ill health her dad is currently unemployed and the house hold income has more than halved. Dad isn't able to be back at work and mum cant physically earn enough to pay for life and the trip. Is this something that you can help with please.
Cost in the region of 1200 pounds. She is already going skiing with CCF which has cost 900 pounds and has also been asked to go on a trip to France with her French group. These trips are very difficult to pay for as I am still paying for them and this opportunity of a life time has arisen which I feel is just beyond my reach so any help that is available would be gratefully received. Thank you in advance for any help you can give.
A friend of mine has a daughter at secondary school who has the opportunity to travel to China with school however this is classed as a sightseeing trip therefore no funding is apparently available.
She is studying the language at school and has travelled to China this year Adam educational trip which was partly funded.she has also travelled as part of an exchange program to spain, has france arranged and has taken part in supporting a exchange student once,also have another student staying next week. The daughter is a high achiever at school and her mum is trying to make sure she has all the experiences available to her but she is struggling due to the financial commitments of the trips as she is on long term sign due to a spinal condition. I thought I would enquire for her to see if there is any additional support/funding available for them. I would appreciate any feedback or any ideas of where this help may be sought.
Regards
Danielle
Would I qualify for any funding to go on a 2 week trip, costing £2300 to a wildlife reserve in Nambia, South Africa. I really want to gain experience with wild animals and get up close and personal go see if its something I want to do in the future but I don't think my family can afford it.
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