Rising Explorer Grant

The Rising Explorer Grant provides funding to help high school students and college undergraduates turn their scientific ideas into real-world field research. With awards averaging $2,000, the program aims to support bold, curious thinkers who are excited about making a contribution to human knowledge and the well-being of our planet. This grant is more than funding—it's an invitation to step into the world of field research, helping to launch careers in science by 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 their field. The program supports projects in field sciences across all disciplines including biology and ecology, wildlife conservation, environmental science, archaeology and anthropology, and marine and freshwater studies. The key requirement is that projects must be true science—designed to generate new knowledge—not just an adventure, travel experience, or school field trip.