Vast x Explorers Club Grant

INSTRUCTIONS & GUIDELINES

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 two hours (at least) to complete the online form, and review it for typos and budgetary miscalculations. Your information will not be saved if you close your browser and return at a later time. 

Please always check for typos, and be sure to use language that will be easily understood by the layperson (i.e. not too much jargon).

Remember that these grants are quite competitive, so it is in your best interest to:

1. Give attention both to clarity and detail in your responses.
2. Ensure accuracy of the information you are providing.
3. Present information regarding your project that makes a strong case for the importance (outcomes and impact), timeliness, and feasibility of what you are proposing.
4. Explain precisely why your work is important.

ELIGIBILITY:

In order to be considered for a Vast x Explorers Club Grant, you must be:

• At least 18 years of age
• Leading or supporting an active project with clear objectives, deliverables, and measurable outcomes. (Early-career applicants should be prepared to provide an endorsement from a mentor or experienced project lead.)

If you have any questions about this application or program, please email: grants@explorers.org.

Applicant Information

Social media details

OPTIONAL: Voluntary Self-Identification of Ethnicity/Race

The Explorers Club is proud of its commitment to diversity and inclusion. In light of that commitment, we invite you to voluntarily identify your race/ethnicity. Submission of this information will be kept confidential. Further, when used for federal, state or local government reporting, or, to respond to certain third party statistical requests, we will not identify any specific individual.

You may select multiple boxes, and you may also provide additional description in the space provided in each category.

Employer and Job Title

(Please note if you are self-employed, employed part-time, or a student.)

Institutions (Academic or Professional)

Institution 1

Institution 2

Please note any past and/or present affiliation with The Explorers Club.

(As mentioned in the application guidelines, Explorers Club membership is not required to apply for a grant.)

Project Details

What are your project field dates?

Please remember funding should cover no more than one year of fieldwork from the stated project start date. This does not include the additional time required for lab work or any scientific publication. Also, please notify The Explorers Club grants team promptly, should your field dates change.

Location(s) of your fieldwork/exploration?

Project Abstract

DETAILED PROJECT INFORMATION

Expedition or Project Description:

Provide a succinct statement (please avoid unnecessary jargon and abbreviations) regarding your proposed research, including: Background: Briefly introduce the subject or issue you please to research or explore, and also briefly convey why the project merits the requested support. If you have undertaken prior research or exploration on this topic/area, please describe. Objectives: Outline the objectives of the proposed project, and your intended outcomes. Methodologies: Provide details regarding methodologies employed to achieve the proposed objectives, and address the significance of the intended measurable outcomes--including possible positive impact the project may have either culturally, environmentally, or both. Metrics: Please explain how you intend to measure the project outcomes. Uniqueness: Describe how the project may be unique in its field. If there are any prior projects or expeditions which have attempted or achieved similar objectives, please be sure to make note of them, citing relevant publications. Story Potential: Briefly explain how this project may have strong appeal and educational value for the public through media storytelling. Scientific/Technical Publication: Please also briefly note any plans for scientific or technical publication. (800 word maximum, please do not attach any additional pages for project description)

Media Pitch Description (75-100 words):

Please describe your project in one or two short sentences in a manner that will appeal to media and the layperson. In short, please convey why your project is important, exciting, timely and potentially unique. And convey the storyline, including a summary description of visual aspects of the project.

Please provide names and the following information on project team members and local collaborators.

You may list up to 10 team members here. If you need to list more, please attach a page using the "Attach Document" feature on the task page.

In the event you receive a grant, the Explorers Club requires notification of any additions or changes to the team, including information requested below. As a reminder, all applicants are strongly encouraged to include a local collaborator on their team (please refer to guidelines for more detail).

Member 1

Member 2

Member 3

Member 4

Member 5

Member 6

Member 7

Member 8

Member 9

Member 10

Permit Information

We realize some permits are finalized when you arrive in-country, so please indicate if this is the case, and forward a copy of your permit once secured.

We expect all grantees to secure any required permits prior to commencing field work. Please attach copies of permits, or let us know where you stand in the permit request process.

Ethical Concerns:

We want to be sure that all applicants have considered potential ethical concerns that could arise during--or as a result of--their expedition or project. It is important for our committee to understand your approach to sensitive topics. This point will be given close consideration in the grant review process, thus applicants will be best served to state any anticipated concerns up front. Failure to address ethical concerns could result in the decline of your application.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS

Video Statement

Please provide a Youtube or Vimeo link to a video statement, of no longer than three minutes, introducing yourself and your project. Please be sure you appear on camera for most of the statement.

REQUIRED: In order to be considered for this grant, you must provide two letters of recommendation from individuals who know you and your work, and who are also familiar with your project.

Please list the names and email addresses of those providing your letters of support.

Person 1

Person 2

Project Budget

Total Budget Amount

Totals & Additional Information

PROJECT REPORT REQUIREMENT

RELEASE