Rising Explorer Grant

Are you a high school student or undergraduate with a passion for science and exploration? Our Rising Explorer Grant program provides funding to help you turn your scientific ideas into real-world field research. With awards averaging $2,000, we aim to support bold, curious thinkers who are excited about making a contribution to human knowledge and the well-being of our planet.

Who Can Apply

This program is open to high school students and college undergraduates worldwide. We welcome applicants from every background and every corner of the globe. If you have a strong idea, a clear plan, and the drive to see it through, we want to hear from you.

What We Fund

We support projects in field sciences across all disciplines, including but not limited to:

Biology and ecology
Wildlife conservation
Environmental science
Archaeology and anthropology
Marine and freshwater studies

The key is that your project must be true science—designed to generate new knowledge—not just an adventure, travel experience, or school field trip.

Why Apply

This grant is more than funding—it’s an invitation to step into the world of field research. Our goal is to help launch careers in science, giving young explorers the resources and confidence to pursue their questions, test their ideas, and make meaningful contributions to our understanding of the world.

Those who become Rising Explorers are automatically considered for Explorers Club membership, which unlocks endless opportunities for networking with other students and professionals in your field.

How to Apply

To be considered for a Rising Explorer Grant, you must submit an application via our online form below. You will be asked to provide the following:

A clear project title and description
Expedition timeline
Detailed budget
Information on how and where your project will be conducted\
Information on how your findings will be handled and shared (e.g. public lecture, journal article, school paper, etc.)
Two letters of support
Any available information about necessary permits or ethical concerns

If you have any questions about the application process, you may reach out to grants@explorers.org for more information.

Applications for the 2027 field season are now closed.

Recipients will be announced in spring, with applications reopening in summer 2027.

Missed this cycle? There are still other programs designed to help you get your start — visit our main grants page to learn more.

Images

Main Image: Vishal Subramanyan, RE ’24

Collage (Clockwise from top left): Pratirakshya Koirala, RE ’22; Aastha Sharma, RE ’22; Cara Elizabeth Cywinski, RE ’22; Jacquelin Foronda, RE ’22

Footer Image: Cara Elizabeth Cywinski, RE ’22

Applications are closed

For high school students, college undergraduates, or independent researchers doing work at an equivalent level.

gallery

Our Rising Explorers

2026 Grantee Headshot_Delmont Oliveira Vieira

Anna Delmont Oliveira Vieira - 2026

Leaf thermotolerance in threatened species from different successional groups of the Atlantic Forest (Brazil)

Aashish Adhikari - 2026

Bird Communities and Conservation Perspectives in Phewa Lake and Forest Habitats of Pokhara (Nepal)

Bishal Chhetri - 2026

Assessment of Population Status, Threats, and Local Perceptions of Cheer Pheasant (Catreus wallichii) in Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Nepal

Resal Abdi Alhaqi - 2026

Exploration of biodiversity and threats of turtles (Testudines) in Rawa Danau, the only highland swamp on Java Island

Tulasi Darlami - 2026

Distribution and Conservation Threats of Satyr Tragopan (Tragopan satyra) in Ghorepani, Nepal

Stefen Del Toro - 2026

Exploring the secrets of the Ice Dragon

Cyasupiya Dhital - 2026

Understanding Distribution, Habitat Preferences, and Socio-economic factors of Chinese Pangolin Trade Outside Protected Area in Lamjung District, Nepal

Jeni Dhungana - 2026

Assessment of Status, Distribution, and Conservation Threats of Orchid Diversity in the Northern Part of the Barandabhar Corridor Forest, Chitwan, Nepal

2026 Grantee Headshot_Dieu-Donné Paterne

Noutevi Dieu-Donné Paterne - 2026

Emergency Preservation: Safeguarding the Living Memory of Cotonou’s Healers Before It Disappears (Benin)

Nancy Gabriela Dominguez - 2026

Community-based nest site protection of the Rufous-throated Dipper in northwestern Argentina

Israt Jahan Ema - 2026

Assessing Conservation Priorities for the Globally Threatened Western Hoolock Gibbon in Patharia Hill Reserve Forest, Northeast Bangladesh

Will Fausnaugh - 2026

Shed happens: A comparative survey of Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola in Central Florida

Shiksha Gyawali - 2026

Assessment of Avian Diversity Along the Elevational Gradient of the Great Machhapuchhre Trail, Kaski, Nepal

Faedh Hidayat - 2026

Conservation of the Lompobattang Flycatcher (Indonesia)

Joel Hila - 2026

Students' Butterflies (Albania)

Nyota Kampunge - 2026

Plastic Contamination and the Future of Fisheries: A Case Study of Lake Kivu (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

Sampada Khanal - 2026

Assessing population, Habitat Suitability and Conservation Threats to Smooth-Coated Otter in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve Nepal

Anushma Nepali - 2026

Conservation Status and threat of Pallas's cat in Manang Valley-Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal

Ram Nyaupane - 2026

Ecological Impacts of Chinese Pangolin Burrowing on Soil Properties and Forest Regeneration in Nepal’s Central Lowlands

Kehinde John Okunade - 2026

Speaking Nature: Exploring How Local Communication Shapes Environmental Awareness and Climate Adaptation in Ibadan and Rural Oyo (Nigeria)

Fernando Pelile Tolok - 2026

Protecting Seaweed Cultivation in Kupang Regency, Indonesia: Mapping Coastal Pollution and Determining Suitable Cultivation Locations to Reduce Ice-Ice Disease

Aashish Pokhrel - 2026

Assess the Abundance, Habitat Suitability, and Conservation Threats of the Small Wildcats in Nawalpur, Nepal

Sajid Hassan Prangon - 2026

Ranging Ecology and Diet of Phayre’s Langurs in Northeast Bangladesh

Nanda Aizha Putri - 2026

Exploring the Hidden Diversity of Paratherina (Indonesia)

Tujin Rai - 2026

Documenting orchid diversity with focus on the Endangered Dactylorhiza hatagirea in Eastern Himalayas, Nepal.

Anil Kumar Raut - 2026

Habitat Assessments and Threat to Critically Endangered Bengal Florican in Shuklaphanta National Park (Nepal)

Fiona Ryan - 2026

What’s biting me? A Scientific Investigation Into the Unidentified Stinger of Hilo Bay

Sam Schenker - 2026

Biodiversity assessment of the Pitalala and Arlequin Reserves (Ecuador)

Sumi Shakya - 2026

Pine Heat: Field Study of Pine Needle Biomass Gasification for Decentralized Energy in Nepal’s Mid hills

Hermann Cyr Dowo Toni - 2026

Assessing Local Ecological Knowledge, abundance, and habitat of the black heron in southern Benin

Saifullah Abdul Rasyid - 2025

Saving Endangered Shrimps Caridina dennerli in Lake Matano - Indonesia

Muna Acharya - 2025

Threats to Turtles in the Jagadishpur Reservoir - Nepal

Rajan Acharya - 2025

Ectoparasite Diversity and Host Specificity in Bats of Kaski - Nepal

Bipin Adhikari - 2025

Threats to Conservation of Great Hornbill - Nepal

Moh Adi Wiranata - 2025

Investigating Native River Fish in the Highest Volcano Area of Banten Province - Indonesia

Grisma Kumar B.C. - 2025

Conservational Threats to the Cheer Pheasant - Nepal

Samik Bista - 2025

Steppe Eagle Research and Conservation - Nepal

Friscila Claudia - 2025

Amphibians and Reptiles at Mount Kelam - Indonesia

Agustín Cotuli Cereda - 2025

Searching for the missing predatory dinosaurs of “Bajo de Santa Rosa” - Argentina

Authia Dey - 2025

Hilsa Kelee Research - Bangladesh

Vanya Dill - 2025

Volcanism in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt during the Late Devonian and it’s impacts on local marine communities - Mongolia

Madison Evans - 2025

The Effects of Anthropogenic Noise on Bats in Rural Communities - U.S.A.

Samir Gyawali - 2025

Potential Habitat & Conservation Threats to Red Panda - Nepal

Rahmita Hasmin - 2025

Exploring the Diversity of Begonia Species and Pollinators in Tentena - Indonesia

Prakrit Jain - 2025

Exploring Unknown Diversity of Smeringurine Scorpions in the North American Deserts - Mexico

Dipa Karki - 2025

Community Perceptions of Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies - Nepal

Shusila Khatri - 2025

Habit and Habitat of Orange-Bellied Himalayan Squirrels - Nepal

Susmita Koirala - 2025

Avian Diversity at Different Habitat Structures - Nepal

Sirjana Lamichhane - 2025

Assessment of Diversity and Conservation Threats of Bat Species in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve - Nepal

Md. Ashiqun Nabi Litu - 2025

Seed Dispersal Activities by Globally Vulnerable Northern Pig-Tailed Macaques - Bangladesh

Deepak Kumar Mandal - 2025

Distribution, Nesting, Hibernation Sites and Conservation Threats to Turtles - Nepal

Rubi Maulana - 2025

Exploring Endangered Horseshoe Crab in Banten Bay - Indonesia

Kessya Mauren - 2025

Exploration Flora Biodiversity of Maleo Bird in Central Sulawesi: The Impact of Oil Palm Plantations and Company Mining - Indonesia

Atikul Islam Mithu - 2025

The Globally Threatened Phayre’s Langur & Capped Langur & Their Hybrids - Bangladesh

Firga Nabila Lige - 2025

Analysis Distribution Patterns of Maleo Birds - Indonesia

Prajnaa Paudel

Ground Biomass Across Different Forest Ecosystem Types - Nepal

2025 Grantee Headshot_Piamaemitatuljanna

Piamaemitatuljanna - 2025

Variations of Marine Plankton Shapes as a Form of Environmental Adaptation - Indonesia

Smriti Rokka - 2025

Assessment of Distribution, Habitat Suitability, and Threats to Smooth-Coated Otter - Nepal

Bárbara E. Santana Cuéllar - 2025

Studying the Foraging Behavior of the Critically Endangered Red Siskin - Venezuela

Jyoti Sharma - 2025

Roosting Site Characteristics & Threats of Critically Endangered Yellow-Breasted Bunting - Afghanistan

Rojita Sharma Banjade - 2025

Conservation Threats to the Sarus Crane - Nepal

Priza Sigdel - 2025

Horned Antelope in Bardiya National Park - Nepal