The Explorers Club invites applications for the Pathfinder Grant, previously called the Exploration Fund Grant. The grant supports graduate and post-graduate students and early-career scientists conducting field research. Relevant disciplines include anthropology, archaeology, wildlife, botany, earth sciences, marine and freshwater research, ecology, geography, and paleontology, and the Club gives priority to expeditions tackling ambitious research questions over survey data. Awards average US$2,500 to US$5,000. Each application requires two written recommendations. The deadline is 31 August 2026. Pathfinder Grant
conservation
Explorers Club — Field Science by High School and Undergraduate Students
The Explorers Club invites applications for the Rising Explorer Grant, which funds scientific fieldwork by high school students, college undergraduates, and independent researchers working at an equivalent level. Awards average US$1,500. Each application requires two written recommendations. The deadline is 31 August 2026. Rising Explorer Grant
Explorers Club — Conservation and Sustainability Fieldwork
The Explorers Club and the Swedish outdoor company Fjällräven invite applications for the Fjällräven Field Grant, which supports fieldwork in the natural sciences related to conservation, the environment, and sustainability. The grant is open to graduate and post-graduate students and early-career scientists; the Club’s grant criteria also specify explorers under the age of 35. Awards are US$5,000. Each application requires two written recommendations. The deadline is 06 September 2026. Fjällräven Field Grant
United Nations — Indigenous Fellowship Program
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Indigenous Fellowship Training Programme is open for applications. The aim of the program is to give Indigenous persons the opportunity to gain knowledge on the UN system and mechanisms dealing with human rights issues in general and Indigenous issues in particular. (Note: This may include land rights and biodiversity conservation issues). Participants will learn how to more effectively advocate for the rights of their communities and raise their concerns at the international level. Travel, stipend, and basic expenses are covered by OHCHR. The deadline for applications is 06 September 2026. OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship
UNESCO — Land Restoration Fellowships
The UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme invites applications for the AFRIMAB–GRO Land Restoration Fellowships 2027. The fellowship supports young African researchers undertaking innovative research on land restoration, ecosystem conservation, sustainable natural resource management, and biodiversity within or linked to UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in Africa. Eligible applicants are African nationals aged 40 or under who are enrolled in, or affiliated with, a recognized university or research institution. The application deadline is 10 September 2026. Land Restoration Fellowships
Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies — Sustainable Governance Research by Africa-Based Scholars
The Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS) invites applications for its Sustainable Governance Senior Fellowship Programme for Researchers from Africa. Fellows receive a full-time employment contract with the University of Freiburg, along with a research cost contribution and reimbursement of inbound and outbound travel. Applicants may hold any nationality but must be based at an institution in an African country. FRIAS considers applications only from the humanities and social sciences with a thematic focus on sustainable governance, which the institute defines broadly to include the environment, climate change, resources, social and human rights, and cost-efficiency. The deadline is 18 September 2026. Know more
Whitley Fund for Nature — Whitley Awards 2027
The Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) offers the Whitley Awards to outstanding biodiversity conservation leaders in developing countries around the world. The awards are both an international prize and a form of project funding, currently £50 thousand over one year. The program is open to mid-career conservationists who are leading wildlife conservation projects in a developing country. The application deadline is 30 October 2026. Learn more
University of Oxford — Scholars Program for Africans
The Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) offers seven graduate scholarships for the 2027-28 MBA program at the University of Oxford. Scholarships are available for applicants who are African nationals, and who can demonstrate a commitment to Africa’s development. The scholarships cover course fees and a grant for living costs, as well as a tailor-made training program. The application deadline is 08 January 2027. AfOx Scholars Program
The Explorers Club — Impact Grants
The Explorers Club Impact Grants support individual researchers and explorers worldwide who conduct field-based scientific expeditions in disciplines such as ecology, earth sciences, anthropology, archaeology, paleontology, and astronomy—especially exploring regions experiencing environmental or cultural change. Grants typically range from US$10 thousand to US$25 thousand, covering expenses for on-site fieldwork. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Explorers Club Impact Grants
Ocean Foundation — Ocean Conservation, Research, and Environmental Education
The Ocean Foundation directs funding for marine and ocean conservation. Program areas cover essentially all aspects of marine and ocean conservation. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited funding requests. However, it accepts brief letters of inquiry from grant seekers who wish to partner with the Foundation. Find out how the process works