The Rolex Explorers Club Grant supports fieldwork addressing a novel scientific, environmental or historical question in any discipline. The Explorers Club awards US$10,000 for projects with a clear scientific rationale, original work and potential for significant impact or new understanding.
The 2026 application round funds the 2027 field season and closed on 14 September 2026 at 6:00 pm US Eastern. Membership of The Explorers Club is not required.
Benefits & funding
- Each award is US$10,000.
- Eligible budget lines include lodging, meals, transport, field supplies, equipment, assistants, telecommunications and shipping.
- The grant does not pay for visas, immunisations, tuition, student or faculty salaries, or institutional overhead.
- A written report and expense statement are due within six months after fieldwork ends.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be under 35 years old.
- The proposed fieldwork must address a novel scientific, environmental or historical question and be intended to add knowledge suitable for peer-reviewed publication.
- Proposals for work conducted in China and applications from Chinese citizens are not considered.
- No degree, enrolment, employment, residency or Club-membership requirement is stated.
- Two letters of support are required.
- Applicants must explain the status of any permits required for the fieldwork.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Age requirement
≤ 34 yrs
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Read the program guidelines and acknowledge them in the online form.
- 2Enter personal details, the fieldwork location and dates, the requested amount, and an abstract of up to 1,500 characters.
- 3Submit a project description of up to 1,000 words covering objectives, methods, outcomes and potential cultural or environmental impact.
- 4Provide outreach plans, permit status, supervisor details and an itemised budget.
- 5Upload two letters of support through the application form.
- 6Accept the reporting and award conditions, then submit by the published deadline.
Program timeline
Application deadline, 6:00 pm US Eastern
Sep 14, 2026
Awards announced under the Club’s general grant timeline
2027-03
Funded field season
2027
Within six months after fieldwork
written report and expense statement due