Photography by:

Zachary Hellmuth MN'24

Grants – 2026

Exploration & Field Research Grants

The Explorers Club Washington Group (ECWG) established the Exploration and Field Research Grants Program to encourage emerging explorers and researchers to expand humanity’s understanding of our planet, its people, and the universe through hands-on field research.

Fields of study supported by this program include — but are not limited to — anthropology, archaeology, botany, ecology, entomology, geography, geology, glaciology, ichthyology, linguistics, oceanography, and ornithology.

Eligibility

Grants are available to graduate students enrolled at a college or university in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, or West Virginia, working under the supervision of a qualified scientist or educator.
Projects may take place anywhere in the world. It should be emphasized that those expeditions supported will be for scientific purposes, in accordance with The Explorers Club’s mission “to broaden our knowledge of the universe.”

Funding Details

Awards typically range from $3,000 to $6,000 and are intended to provide supplemental funding for fieldwork or closely related research activities. While modest, these grants have enabled past recipients to collect preliminary data, pursue additional funding, and support critical components of their field projects.

Allowable expenses include:

  • Travel to field sites or specialized facilities

  • Purchase of research supplies or equipment

  • Rental of research or field facilities

  • Study participant compensation

Funds may not be used for tuition, stipends, textbooks, language training, dependent allowances, publication costs, conference travel, or indirect expenses. Field assistant services and childcare costs may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Awarded funds are disbursed directly to the student grantee, who is responsible for all subsequent payments related to equipment, services, or logistics.

Grant Requirements

Recipients must submit a final report and itemized expense statement upon completion of their project.
Publications or presentations resulting from ECWG-supported research must acknowledge the Explorers Club Washington Group’s Exploration and Field Research Grants Program, and copies of resulting publications should be shared with the ECWG.

Prior to disbursement, recipients will sign a letter of agreement confirming these terms.

Application Instructions

Applications must use the official ECWG grant forms (available below) and be submitted via email to ecwggrantscommittee@gmail.com.

Forms may be submitted by email to: ecwggrantscommittee@gmail.com and must be received by February 1, 2026 by midnight. Incomplete applications, applications not using the standard forms, or applications received after this date will not be considered. Awards are expected to be announced by March 31, 2026.

Who May Submit:

Any graduate student enrolled in a college or university in the local area (Washington, DC; Virginia; West Virginia; or Maryland).

What to Submit:

  • 1) One copy of the application package (submitted as PDF), which includes:
    • Application Form
    • Curriculum Vitae Form
    • Abstract of the Project
    • Project Description
    • Budget
  • 2) Two references to be submitted separately by referee to ecwggrantscommittee@gmail.com. Please ensure student’s name is in the subject line.
  • 3) ECWG-Grants_Application_2026

Please submit your 2026 ECWG Exploration and Field Research Grants here. (submission portal)

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: February 1, 2026

EXPECTED GRANTS ANNOUNCEMENT DATE: March 31, 2026