• Home
• Expeditions
• Funding
• Scott Pearlman Field Awards for Science and Exploration

Scott Pearlman Field Awards for Science and Exploration

The Scott Pearlman Field Awards provide grants for professional artists, writers, photographers, filmmakers, and journalists in support of scientific expeditions sponsored by The Explorers Club. Grants in amounts up to $1500 are made to professionals who are recommended by the leader of an expedition sponsored by The Explorers Club. Samples of the candidates work must be submitted with this application, along with two references from individuals familiar with the candidate’s skills, personality, and ability to provide reproduction-quality documentation of the specified expedition.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION HERE - PDF

Applications will be carefully considered by the Scott Pearlman Field Awards Committee, who may also confer with professionals in the candidate’s field regarding the merits of the proposals. Applications approved by the committee go before the board of directors of The Explorers Club, who alone have the authority to approve the disbursement of funds. Applications will be judged solely on the merit of the proposal, the competence and ability of the candidate, and the appropriateness of the budget. You do not have to be a member of The Explorers Club to qualify for a grant, and there are no age restrictions. Decisions of the board of directors will be final.

Recipients of grants are expected to provide a report and samples of their work, including edited video or film, photographic prints, published or unpublished articles, or copies of illustrations and artwork within six months after the expedition returns. These materials will become part of the archives of The Explorers Club as documentation of Club-sponsored expeditions. Copyright of the materials will remain with the candidate as artistic, scientific, or intellectual property.

It should be emphasized that grants will be awarded only for those projects with scientific purposes in accordance with the Club’s stated objectives, “to broaden our knowledge of the universe”. Mere travel to remote areas will not be considered. Nor will grants be awarded to existing expedition members to purchase cameras or equipment to document their own efforts. The Scott Pearlman Field Awards are meant to provide scientific expeditions with professional, reproduction-quality materials for the publication and dissemination of their work through print and electronic media.

Four (4) copies of the completed application, samples of the candidate’s work, letters from two peers familiar with the candidate’s work, and a written recommendation from the expedition leader must be received together for consideration. No application will be considered without a signed liability waiver. Awards will be announced on a timely basis after committee review and board approval, so candidates must allow no less than twelve weeks processing-time prior to departure.

Or request an application form from, and submit completed application and materials to:

Scott Pearlman Field Awards
The Explorers Club
46 East 70th Street
New York, NY 10021

Tel: 212-628-8383
Fax: 212-288-4449

Scott Pearlman was a photographer and a member of three flag expeditions. One of the youngest members of The Explorers Club at the age of 22, he backpacked with his camera across Australia, Africa, South America, and Europe until contracting Hepatitis C. He died of liver failure at the age of 38, still looking for the perfect picture.