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Flag Application Criteria

We strongly recommend downloading the form as a worksheet before beginning to fill it in online. Once you are ready to submit your application, it's advisable to set aside 45 minutes (at least) to complete the online form. Your information will not be saved if you close your browser and return at a later time.

The Explorers Club Flag represents an impressive history of courage and accomplishment. 

To carry the flag is an honor and privilege.

A numbered Explorers Club Expedition Flag may be awarded ON LOAN to an individual member who is taking an active part in a non-commercial field research expedition provided that:

• The purpose of the undertaking will benefit exploration and science.
• The objectives are clearly stated and are consistent with the spirit of original exploration: The expedition should operate in a location which is remote or little known; gather relevant scientific data or record observations under field conditions.
• The plan of the expedition is such that the objectives are realistic.
• The flag application procedures are followed.

The Flag cannot be awarded if the undertaking is: 

• Based on the itinerary of a commercially run trip.
• Based primarily a competitive event, such as a race.
• Representing advertising, sales promotion, stunts or other exploits for publicity.
• Acquiring artifacts primarily for commercial purposes.

The Flag application will be considered unless:

• Dues are not current.
• The Flag was not returned to the Club from a previous expedition.
• A Flag report was not submitted from a previous expedition
• The flag application is incomplete.

Your application will be evaluated by TEC members who are experienced explorers, and it will be judged entirely on its own merits. Applicants are advised to send it a complete application that fully addresses the following questions:  

• How will your project advance field science and knowledge, and how is it consistent with the spirit of original exploration?
• Is your team experienced and capable of meeting your objectives? It would be helpful if you added CVs or short bios of team members as an attachment. Do not assume that the Flag & Honors Committee already knows the qualifications of you and your team, and recognize that providing insufficient information is grounds for denial.
• Describe your operational plan and/or research methodologies. Consider adding them as an attachment.
• How will your findings be published and/or communicated? Be specific. Members are encouraged to convey their findings in a variety of formats, including print and video. Do you have the ability to do this?
• Is your budget reasonable and what is the current status of obtaining funds?
• Are any team members recruited by open advertisement and do they pay a fixed participation fee? If so explain your funding strategy in detail noting that commercial and/or “tourist” trips are generally excluded.
• Have you met your prior obligations for Flag Reports? Be specific. Flag applications will not be considered unless and until the applicant has submitted acceptable Flag Reports from prior Flag expeditions.
• Are permits required to legally undertake the project and, if so, have they been obtained? If not, what is the permit status of the project?
• Who will be responsible for medical care and what is his/her level of training?
• Are you bringing any specialized medical supplies?
• Do you have an evacuation plan?
• Do you have evacuation insurance?

A Note Regarding Conservation Related Expeditions:

Flag requests that have an objective of conserving natural resources must adhere to the following requirements: 

• MUST have new or novel hypothesis that is being explored, with goals to find new solutions to conservation, challenges, and scientific questions
• Must include field research and the dissemination of knowledge

The applicant should understand that conservation related expeditions will not automatically be approved based on the overall objective alone. The application must demonstrate that a new approach to conservation will be undertaken.

Please review your application thoroughly before final submission. If you have questions, please contact Members Services (membership@explorers.org) and they will address your concerns.   

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Please provide your Membership Category and Election Year below.

In order to carry The Explorers Club flag, you must be a Member/Fellow or Term Member in good standing. (Associate Members, Friends of the Club, and Students are not eligible to apply.)

Personal Information

Statement of Ethics

It is the obligation of an explorer to:

1. Attempt to acquire new information and to report activities and results accurately. It is the acquisition and dissemination of new knowledge that distinguishes the scientific explorer from the adventurer or treasure hunter.
2. Respect the environment and local culture and leave them undisturbed. Remember that the explorer is the foreigner and the guest.
3. Respect all local, national, and international laws. Collect only necessary specimens, and then only with permission from the authorities when required.
4. Give full credit to others. Be aware of prior work and reference it appropriately. All of us stand on the efforts of our predecessors.
5. Plan expeditions properly and avoid unjustified risks. Endeavors should be adequately equipped and should not exceed the competence and strength of the team.

- From The Explorers Club Handbook

Expeditional Details

Personal Information

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Location Information

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Statement of the applicant

The signal characteristic of a Flag Expedition is creating new information in the spirit of original exploration, and not just traveling for the sake of experience. Further, a substantial and meaningful expedition produces significant information that is analyzed and communicated and archived for the use of further generations. These are critical aspects for a Flag Expedition.

Flag Expedition Reporting Guidelines

The Explorers Club Flag is an enduring symbol of our organization. Our flag expeditions further the Club Purposes "to broaden man's knowledge of all phases of the universe..." (Article III, Bylaws), and by extension, The Explorers Club Flag Expedition Report serves to preserve and disseminate the acquired new knowledge that distinguishes the scientific explorer from the adventurer or treasure hunter.

It is the obligation of an explorer to report activities and results accurately. These activities and results, in the form of flag expedition reports, become part of the century- old archive at the Club. Our collection is a resource used by both scholars and contemporary explorers for related fieldwork. Therefore, your expedition report will become part of the world's most complete archive of exploration and may exist long after the records sent to other places. The flag report is a scholarly resource and, to some degree, the expedition team will be judged by the quality of their reporting for decades to come.

Outstanding expeditions reports contain many similar elements and attributes; and to establish a level of consistency, we provide flag expedition report guidelines.

A few simple steps to build an expedition report:

Project overview:

A succinct summary of the expedition's major points including, project significance, objectives, results and any implications the discoveries may have on either the field of study and/or exploration.

Project explanation:

Illustrate the importance of the flag expedition. Include maps, and at least one photo with caption of The Explorers Club Flag in the field. Include the expedition team members with names. Include background information, with prior relevant research results, on both the region and the topic of study.

Project objectives:

Summarize the objectives of the expedition, highlight references which may include journal articles, reports from previous flag expeditions filed, unpublished reports, etc.

Flag Expedition Reporting Obligations

Applicants are reminded that their expedition reports will become part of the century-old archive at the Club. This collection is used by both scholars and contemporary explorers as a resource for related field work. Therefore your report to the Club is not simply to meet an administrative requirement; it will become part of the world's most complete archive of exploration. Please consider this fact when you prepare your end of expedition report. Perfunctory or de minimus reporting may reflect poorly on your work and the productivity of your expedition.

The Explorers Club Expedition Reports are contained in our Research Collections at Headquarters in New York. After review and evaluation, flag reports may be selected for posting on our website or published in The Explorers Club Journal. At a future date, the collection may be digitized as part of our virtual World Center for Exploration.

Financing and Sponsorship

Aplication Process

Tell us about your first flag expedition

To apply for a flag you must have filed a report for each previous flag expedition. Please direct any questions to Emerald Nash at explorer.hq.flagandhonors@explorers.org.

Tell us about your second flag expedition

To apply for a flag you must have filed a report for each previous flag expedition. Please direct any questions to Emerald Nash at explorer.hq.flagandhonors@explorers.org.

Tell us about your third flag expedition

To apply for a flag you must have filed a report for each previous flag expedition. Please direct any questions to Emerald Nash at explorer.hq.flagandhonors@explorers.org.

Tell us about your fourth flag expedition

To apply for a flag you must have filed a report for each previous flag expedition. Please direct any questions to Emerald Nash at explorer.hq.flagandhonors@explorers.org.

Tell us about your fifth flag expedition

To apply for a flag you must have filed a report for each previous flag expedition. Please direct any questions to Emerald Nash at explorer.hq.flagandhonors@explorers.org.

Tell us about your sixth flag expedition

To apply for a flag you must have filed a report for each previous flag expedition. Please direct any questions to Emerald Nash at explorer.hq.flagandhonors@explorers.org.

Tell us about your seventh flag expedition

To apply for a flag you must have filed a report for each previous flag expedition. Please direct any questions to Emerald Nash at explorer.hq.flagandhonors@explorers.org.

To finalize your submission, you will either need to upload your electronic signature or check the box below to acknowledge the terms outlined in this application.