Discover Funding Opportunities

Chevening Scholarships

Chevening Scholarships are funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and partner organisations. They are awarded to individuals with demonstrable leadership potential and strong academic backgrounds. The scholarships offer full financial support to study for any eligible master's degree at any UK university. Since the programme was created in 1983, nearly 60,000 outstanding professionals have had the opportunity to develop in the UK through Chevening. There are more than 1,000 scholarships on offer each year, demonstrating the UK's ongoing commitment towards developing the leaders of tomorrow. Chevening is one of the most prestigious and competitive UK scholarships available to international students. It is designed to support Britain's public diplomacy overseas, providing scholars with the knowledge, confidence and connections they need to make a positive global impact. Additionally, Chevening scholars gain access to a wide range of exclusive academic, professional, and cultural experiences. As a fully funded scholarship, tuition fees, living expenses, and return flights to the UK are all covered. Scholars also gain access to exclusive networking events, workshops, talks, internships, and volunteering opportunities, giving them a diverse introduction to life in a global role. The programme is designed for ambitious leaders in the making who are looking for a postgraduate experience that will give them the very best preparation for success.

The Hedley Foundation Grants

The Hedley Foundation awards grants to small UK registered charities that can demonstrate quantifiable outcomes to beneficiaries. The Foundation supports charities with annual incomes below £1 million, providing grants that enable high-impact work. Typical grants of up to £5,000 are regularly made, with occasional larger sums awarded to charities where significant impact can be achieved. Smaller charities often benefit from grants starting at £250. The Foundation excludes funding for core salaries, building construction, general running costs, transport, financial deficits, overseas projects, community interest companies, religious institutions, museums, or individuals. Applicants must not have received a grant from the Foundation within the last two years. The Trustees meet regularly to review applications and make funding decisions, typically responding within four months if successful.

Cost of Living Fund

The Cost of Living Fund is a community grant program led by Social Enterprise Kent and funded through the East Kent Health Care Partnership, NHS Health Inequalities fund. The program enables grassroots organizations and groups to apply for up to £5,000 to fund new activities or extend current activities that tackle issues related to healthy eating. The fund specifically addresses food poverty and diet-related challenges by supporting local, community-based organizations to run projects that tackle food and diet issues in communities across east Kent. Lack of access, knowledge and skills around healthy eating and cooking has significant impact on people's physical and mental health, including detrimental effects on the growth and development of young people. The fund is particularly interested in supporting projects that tackle specific health issues linked with poor diet, such as diabetes or hypertension in particular communities. Strong applications should demonstrate community need, show support from local people, and avoid duplication of existing activities unless there is a strong reason to do so.

Records at Risk Grants

The Records at Risk Grants programme is delivered in collaboration with the British Records Association and the Business Archives Council, to provide support for urgent interventions to save significant physical and digital records facing immediate peril, across the UK. It provides grants of up to £5,000, to protect records of cultural and research value from premature destruction or prolonged neglect. The programme aims to support archival institutions, organizations, and communities in preserving historically significant materials that are at risk of being lost due to damage, deterioration, or lack of proper storage. This funding is specifically designed for urgent interventions where records face immediate danger and require prompt action to ensure their survival for future generations.

Hardship Grants

The National Benevolent Charity's Hardship Grants are aimed at individuals experiencing poverty or hardship in Bristol, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Swindon. Grant awards range from £150 to £750 (with an average of £379) and are normally made in the form of e-vouchers, bank transfers, or direct payment to suppliers. The grants support essential needs including white goods, household items, food, clothing, priority debts, bankruptcy costs, training or work tools, and floor coverings. In exceptional circumstances, grants may also cover disability aids, minor home repairs, or rent arrears. Applications can be made by individuals themselves with support from a professional support worker, or by support workers on behalf of clients. The charity processes applications through Lightning Reach portal and aims to respond within 15 working days. Households can receive only one grant in any 12-month period, up to a maximum of three grants in any five-year period.

Maritime Connected Funding Offer

The Maritime Connected initiative from Lloyd's Register Foundation supports organisations in the maritime community to connect parts of the maritime system in relation to current or future safety challenges. The initiative focuses on safety challenges relating to decarbonisation, digitalisation, the impacts of climate, and safety at sea. It aims to enable ocean stakeholders and partners to work together to share safety challenges and co-create interventions that improve safety and reduce risk to people and infrastructure across maritime. The programme encourages applications that bring multiple perspectives, especially from underrepresented voices and people in developing countries who are not always involved in decision-making. Supported activities include multi-stakeholder workshops, collaborative inquiries, qualitative research methods, travel to key events for underrepresented communities, joint advocacy campaigns, and projects linking voices along supply or design chains to make systems safer. This is a pilot initiative open for 6 months, with potential for successive calls based on initial results. Applications from seafarers, coastal communities, women, and maritime educators from emerging economies are particularly encouraged.

Youth Futures Education Fund

The Youth Futures Education Fund has been established to provide a grant to recipients of the Former Youth in Care Provincial Tuition Waiver, to assist with supplemental educational funding for expenses such as books, housing, utilities, or emergency situations. The amount of funding is determined by the information provided on the application and the outcome of the assessment by institutional officials. This fund specifically supports former youth in care who are pursuing post-secondary education at public institutions in British Columbia, Canada.

The Nurses Education Bursary

This program provides bursary funding, awarded each year, to qualified nursing applicants who demonstrate the greatest financial need in British Columbia. The bursary is designed to support students enrolled full-time in eligible nursing programs at designated B.C. post-secondary institutions. Recipients are automatically assessed when applying for a student loan, with no separate application required. Awards are disbursed based on a limited budget and applicants are ranked against other applicants in each bursary period to determine who has the greatest financial need.

Learning Fund for Young Adults (LFYA)

The Learning Fund for Young Adults (LFYA) is a one-time $1,500 grant offered by the Province of British Columbia to help young adults with care experience access learning opportunities. The grant supports young people who have been in government care (such as foster care, youth agreements, or under various custody orders) to pursue education, employment training, life-skills development, or other learning activities. The program emphasizes flexibility and autonomy, allowing eligible recipients to choose their own learning paths based on their personal interests and goals. Young adults can apply directly or have a representative such as a caregiver or social worker apply on their behalf. Once eligibility is confirmed and the application is reviewed, payments are typically received within four to six weeks.

Learning for Future Grant

The Learning for Future Grant is a financial assistance program offered by StudentAid BC to support students who were formerly in government care. The grant provides $3,500 annually (per program year from August 1 to July 31) to help cover education-related costs not covered by the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program, such as textbooks, computers, and supplies. To be eligible, students must meet all eligibility criteria for the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program and be enrolled in a program or course below graduate level that leads to a credential (citation, certificate, diploma or degree). Each study period must be a minimum of 6 weeks or 35 tuition hours in duration. First-time applicants must submit an application through their institution's Financial Aid Office to StudentAid BC, while returning students need only submit an annual Declaration form.

Health Program Bursaries – Student Recruitment and Retention Bursary

This bursary has been developed through the Ministry of Health's Health Human Resource Strategy and is designed to attract students to priority health education programs and help fill key health workforce gaps across British Columbia. The Student Recruitment and Retention Bursary is available to students enrolled in eligible health programs at public B.C. post-secondary institutions. The bursary provides $2,000 per recipient per program year and is only awarded once in a 12-month period. Students are automatically assessed by their post-secondary institutions' student financial aid office, and eligible students receive a tuition credit applied directly to their account without needing to submit an application.

Chinese Government Scholarship Program

This program provides the opportunity to study at a Chinese university on scholarships from the Chinese Government. Full and partial scholarships are available annually. A full scholarship covers tuition (or research) fees, basic learning materials, accommodation, living allowance, comprehensive medical insurance for international students under the Chinese Government Scholarship program, a one-time settlement subsidy, and a one-time inter-city travel allowance. A partial scholarship covers tuition only and may also include one or more items of a full scholarship (settlement subsidy and inter-city travel allowance excluded).

Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities

This program helps full-time or part-time students with a permanent disability, or a persistent or prolonged disability with the cost of education. The grant provides financial assistance to eligible students enrolled at designated post-secondary institutions in Canada. Students who qualify for a federal student loan and have verified their disability status with StudentAid BC are automatically assessed for this grant without needing to submit a separate application. The grant amount is temporarily increased by 40% from pre-pandemic levels until July 31, 2026.

Canada Student Grant for Students with Dependants

This program helps full-time students with dependants with the cost of education. The grant provides up to $280 per month of study for each child under 12 years of age (temporarily increased by 40% from pre-pandemic levels until July 31, 2026). The grant is automatically assessed when students apply for a student loan through StudentAid BC, requiring no separate application. It is designed to support low-income families where students are pursuing post-secondary education while caring for young children.

Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Studies

This program provides extra help to low-income part-time students pursuing post-secondary education in Canada. The grant offers financial assistance to eligible students who are enrolled in part-time studies at a designated post-secondary institution. The grant amount has been temporarily increased by 40% from 2019/20 pre-pandemic levels until July 31, 2026. Students are automatically assessed for this grant when they complete the part-time studies application through StudentAid BC.

Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students

This grant program provides extra financial help to students from low and middle-income families pursuing full-time post-secondary education in Canada. Based on the previous year's annual income and family size, eligible students may receive up to $525 per month of study (temporarily increased by 40% from pre-pandemic levels until July 31, 2026), which equals $4,200 for a standard 8-month academic year. Lower amounts are awarded based on higher incomes. The grant is automatically assessed when students apply for a student loan through StudentAid BC, requiring no separate application. Students must qualify for a federal student loan, meet income thresholds established by the Government of Canada, and be pursuing full-time post-secondary studies leading to an undergraduate degree, certificate, or diploma in a program of at least two years (60 weeks) duration at a designated institution.

B.C. Supplemental Bursary for Students with Disabilities

The B.C. Supplemental Bursary for Students with Disabilities provides financial support to post-secondary students in British Columbia who have a permanent, persistent, or prolonged disability. The bursary offers $800 per program year for students studying at a course load of 40% or greater, or $400 per program year for those studying at a course load of 20% to 39%. To qualify, students must be eligible for the Canada Student Grant for Students with Disabilities and be enrolled in a designated public or private post-secondary institution taking post-secondary level courses. The bursary is automatically assessed for students who have previously submitted verification of their disability to StudentAid BC. Students who have not yet verified their disability status must complete the Appendix 8 – Disability Programs Application form. This bursary is designed to supplement other disability-related financial assistance and help reduce financial barriers for students with disabilities pursuing higher education.

B.C. Assistance Program for Students with Disabilities

This program helps students with disabilities pay for exceptional education-related services and adaptive equipment. Grants of up to $10,000 (or $12,000 if an attendant is required at school) are available to students attending public and private post-secondary schools in British Columbia. This grant is designed to cover costs that exceed what is provided through federal disability assistance programs, specifically requiring students to have first exhausted funding from the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment – Students with Disabilities (CSG-DSE). The program supports students with permanent disabilities or persistent/prolonged disabilities who are enrolled at designated institutions in B.C.

B.C. Access Grant for Students with Disabilities

This grant program helps full-time students with a permanent disability, or a persistent or prolonged disability with the cost of education. The grant replaces up to $1,560 ($30 per week of study) per program year in B.C. student loan funding, effectively converting loan amounts to non-repayable grant funding. Students who have previously submitted verification of their disability to StudentAid BC are assessed automatically for this grant. New applicants with qualifying disabilities must complete the Appendix 8 Disability Programs Application Form to verify their eligibility.

Fisheries Grants

The Fishmongers' Company and its Fisheries Charitable Trust provide one-off grants for smaller programmes aligned with its vision to support a better future for the UK's seafood industry, freshwater and marine fish and their habitats. The grants cover projects in four main programme areas: freshwater fish, fisheries and catchment management; marine fish, fisheries and environmental management; the sustainable and innovative development of aquaculture; and supporting and developing the fish trade. These programmes are aligned with general themes including education and communication initiatives, working with research and academic establishments to support evidence-based approaches, and the development of international links. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and are typically considered within 14 working days.

Sport Facilities Fund

The Sport Facilities Fund (SFF) supports capital projects that help to create or improve places where people take part in sport and physical activity. The fund aims to support projects that provide more opportunities for people to get involved in and participate in sport and physical activity. With a budget of approximately £2 million per annum, there is likely to be greater demand and competition for funding than is available. Prioritisation will be given to projects that deliver the greatest impact on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion objectives. Projects that can clearly demonstrate an inclusive approach that targets participants in/from SIMD areas or areas of rural disadvantage, or those with additional needs, or those from ethnically diverse communities, or other protected characteristics as identified in The Equalities Act 2010, will be prioritised. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with deadlines on 1st April and 1st September each year at 5pm.

Film Development and Production Fund

The Film Development and Production Fund exists to offer development and production funding for feature length films and documentaries being made by filmmakers based in Scotland. This fund can support Single Project Development Funding for initial development costs of a single feature film or documentary project, as well as Film Production Funding for production costs. The aim of this funding is to support filmmakers who are working in live-action, animation and documentary, to develop a range of feature film projects across all genres that reflect Scotland's culture, creativity and diversity. The fund supports projects with international appeal that have the potential to be distinctive, high-quality and commercially and/or creatively-driven, as well as projects that enable artists and filmmakers to take risks creatively. As part of a two-year pilot, the BFI Diversity Standards are part of the eligibility criteria for all applications to ensure a more representative and inclusive Scottish film industry.

BFI National Lottery Audience Projects Fund

The BFI National Lottery Audience Projects Fund awards National Lottery funding to support the exhibition and distribution of nationally significant audience-facing independent film and immersive projects. The fund supports ambitious, audience-facing film and immersive projects activity that brings independent UK and international films to audiences across the UK in a dynamic and original way. Projects must be high-profile and able to attract national press and media coverage. With a focus on increasing access and encouraging audiences to take risks in the viewing choices they make, supported projects will grow the participation of audiences that are representative of the UK population. Equal priority is given to the cultural and social ambitions of projects. The fund supports organisations with multi-year and short-term projects as well as smaller pilot projects from organisations new to the fund. Supported activity also includes sector-facing projects that support the industry to adapt, innovate and develop ambition and resilience.

Connected Communities Fund

The Connected Communities Fund is a partnership between OCVA, Community First Oxfordshire, and Oxfordshire County Council to support The Oxfordshire Way, a countywide vision to help people live well and independently in their communities for as long as possible. It's all about building resilience, reducing isolation, and creating opportunities for people to stay active, connected, and supported close to home. The fund supports regular, ongoing activities that bring people together and create lasting impact, including activities that help people connect and socialise, projects that support mental and physical wellbeing, initiatives that reduce isolation including language, cultural, or caring barriers, and intergenerational or community-wide projects focused on benefits for older people. The fund especially welcomes projects that fill gaps in local support, add to what's already available locally, try something new such as tackling digital exclusion or using local spaces creatively, work with local businesses to create social, environmental, or economic benefits, support unpaid carers, and help build strong, resilient communities that last beyond the life of the grant. Organisations can apply for up to £5,000 to help cover costs of running activities that benefit older adults (50+) and adults (18+) with additional needs, including people living with physical or mental health conditions, neurodivergent adults, those experiencing loneliness or social isolation, people facing language or cultural barriers, and unpaid carers. Projects can focus on community-based socialising, health and wellbeing, arts, culture and creativity, green/environmental and outdoor activities, and learning new skills. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with no closing date until all funding has been allocated. The fund is currently paused with updates to be announced on their website and social media channels.

Step Change Fund

The Step Change Fund focuses on capacity building and strengthening of Oxfordshire's charitable sector. This fund is for charities with visionary leadership that realise they need to transform the way they are organised in order to create a more solid basis for delivering their core work. The Step Change Fund enables the local charitable sector to be stronger and more sustainable, and therefore better equipped to deal with the hard-hitting social problems faced by Oxfordshire communities. Step Change offers a unique proposition to grant applicants, with the support of a volunteer project manager included with every grant. The project manager, usually someone experienced in business strategy or management, will help you to develop a clear and fully costed plan to realise the step change that you desire. They will work alongside you through the duration of your project to support you in hitting targets and milestones. This fund does not offer core funding simply for the continuance of existing services; grants will be given for projects that can demonstrate realistic plans for increasing reach and impact and for building longer-term resilience for the future. The fund is particularly interested in projects that enable a 'step change' in impact or financial terms, and only funds projects that can demonstrate they bring substantial benefit to the lives of people in Oxfordshire who are facing disadvantage. The Step Change Fund has a three-stage application process, starting with an Eligibility Questionnaire, followed by an Expression of Interest Form, and finally a Detailed Bid Form before any grant is awarded.

The Didcot Powerhouse Fund

The Didcot Powerhouse Fund, launched at the end of 2021, invites grant applications from charities and organisations providing support to the wider Didcot community. Grants are offered annually and are themed. The Fund aims to accelerate levelling up in the Didcot area by streamlining corporate and community giving more effectively to support neighbourhoods where additional support is urgently needed. The theme for 2026 is 'Powering a healthy Didcot', which aims to improve physical health, mental health and community resilience in Greater Didcot and the surrounding villages. At least 90% of beneficiaries of any grant from the Fund must live inside the Didcot Garden Town Area of Influence. Over the last four years, £383,000 has been awarded in 70 grants all serving beneficiaries in the Powerhouse area.

Arctic Club Award

The Arctic Club Award seeks to promote and support interesting, innovative and adventurous expeditions in the Arctic, particularly for young people. Awards are made annually from the Arctic Club Award Fund, held within the Gino Watkins Memorial Fund (Charity 208791), and administered by Members of the Gino Watkins Memorial Committee (which includes Arctic Club members). Each year, one or more expeditions are given an Arctic Club Award. Applicants may receive a combined award from both the Gino Watkins Memorial Fund and the Arctic Club Award Fund. Members of these expeditions are invited as guests to the Arctic Club Dinner. The Arctic Club also makes small awards to individuals for training purposes such as expedition training, polar bear safety, and ice safety.

Timmissartok Foundation Grants for Exploration

The Timmissartok Foundation was founded in 2000 to assist individuals with adventurous projects that will take place in a foreign country. The foundation believes that one individual with a dream can be more powerful than a string of committees and wants to invest in people with big dreams who have a strong enough heart to make their dreams come true. The foundation partially supports projects that involve 'travel with a purpose' in which a particular passion is to be explored, embodying the philosophy that the journey is more important than the destination. The foundation is particularly interested in projects that allow exposure to foreign languages and different cultures, supporting people who are not afraid to take risks and who realize that the greatest achievements are possible in those areas. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis from individuals of all nationalities and all ages seeking adventure in foreign lands.

Dudley Stamp Memorial Award

The Dudley Stamp Memorial Award offers grants of £500 for PhD students or postdoctoral researchers to support geographical research. Preference is given to research that leads to the advancement of geography and to international co-operation in the study of the subject. Applications are particularly welcome for projects which will strengthen links between geographers in the United Kingdom and those overseas. The award was established in 1967 to enable geographers in the early stages of their careers to travel in support of their research. It honors Lawrence Dudley Stamp (1898-1966), an internationally renowned British geographer who served as President of both the Royal Geographical Society and the Institute of British Geographers. His Land Utilisation Survey of Great Britain in the 1930s and 1940s sought to classify land use in Britain with the help of teachers and school children. Dudley Stamp worked to popularise geography and played a key role in promoting the teaching of the subject in schools. He travelled widely, assisting in the setting up of numerous land use surveys, while his reputation drew postgraduates from around the world to work on his projects. In 2016 the Dudley Stamp Memorial Fund became a linked charity of the RGS-IBG. The award is administered through the RGS-IBG Postgraduate Research Awards scheme.

Henrietta Hutton Research Grant

The Henrietta Hutton Research Grant offers up to three grants of £500 annually to undergraduate or Masters students undertaking overseas field research as an individual or as part of a team. The fund was established in 1964 in memory of Henrietta Hutton, a University of Oxford student who was a keen ornithologist and founding member of the Oxford Women's Exploration Club. Preference is given to support field research with a significant geographical, social and/or environmental science, or natural history element. Applicants should be undertaking an independent field research project that lasts longer than four weeks. The field research does not have to be related to the student's academic studies, but applicants must be registered at a UK Higher Education Institution. Where the applicant is part of a larger expedition, it should be made clear how their research is distinct from the wider project. Applicants should show strong evidence of host country participation in their research projects.

Jasmin Leila Award

The Jasmin Leila Award was established in 2008 in celebration of Jasmin Leila Sidaway. The £250 award is given to one of the projects supported under the Society's Small Research Grants scheme. In tribute to Jasmin, the project to be recognised by the award will have a focus on either medical and health geography, performance (especially any aspects of music, theatre, fashion and/or dance and their geographies), or transnational communities. Applications to the Jasmin Leila Award should be made through the Society's Small Research Grants scheme.

Rob Potter Award

The Rob Potter Award offers £1,500 to post-PhD early-career researchers studying the geographies of development. Given in celebration of Rob Potter, an eminent human geographer and founding editor of Progress in Development Studies, this award is provided through the Society's Small Research Grants scheme, either as a supplement or as an independent award. In tribute to Rob Potter, the project should focus on geographies of development (especially urbanisation, housing and participatory planning, and socio-economic development) or transnational migration and identities. Preference is given to research on the contemporary Caribbean, with studies of Mexico, Latin America and small island nations also welcomed. Rob Potter (1950-2014) was Emeritus Professor of Human Geography at the University of Reading, and a distinguished academic expert on urban geography and the geographies of development, with particular reference to the Caribbean.

Walters Kundert Fellowship

The Walters Kundert Fellowship offers an annual grant of £10,000 to support post-PhD field research within Arctic or high mountain environments. Established in 2017, the Fellowship is supported through a generous donation by the Walters Kundert Charitable Trust and encourages applicants from across the spectrum of geographical research to enhance the understanding and well-being of the planet's Arctic and high mountain environments through research. The Fellowship specifically supports field research in physical geography within Arctic and/or high mountain environments, with preference for field studies that advance the understanding of environmental change past or present. Applications are open to post-PhD researchers affiliated with a UK Higher Education Institution or equivalent research establishment, or Fellows and members of the Royal Geographical Society who are employed outside the UK. The Fellowship aims to encourage research that addresses critical questions about environmental change in these sensitive regions, including topics such as glacier dynamics, permafrost disturbances, climate change impacts, and ecosystem responses in Arctic and high mountain settings.

Thesiger-Oman Fellowships

The Thesiger-Oman International Fellowships offer two awards annually of £8,000 to post-doctoral researchers to advance geographical knowledge, involving fieldwork, in an arid or semi-arid environment. Preference will be given to research in the Middle East and other areas visited by Sir Wilfred Thesiger. One award is given for human geography and one for physical geography. These awards were founded with the support of the late Sultan of Oman, Qaboos bin Said al-Said as a memorial to Thesiger. Applicants must be Fellows or members of the Royal Geographical Society with at least three years' post-doctoral experience. The Fellowships are open to applicants of any nation. Individuals or groups may apply for this award. The fellowships support geographical research in the physical or human dimensions of arid and semi-arid environments, particularly in the Middle East and regions associated with Sir Wilfred Thesiger's explorations.

Fieldwork Apprenticeships

The Fieldwork Apprenticeships aim to give first year undergraduate geography students the opportunity during the summer to work as a Fieldwork Apprentice for a number of weeks on a research project either in the UK or overseas, led by an academic member of staff at their university. Grants of £1,500 are offered annually for students to participate in fieldwork projects led by one of their university lecturers. Applicants must be resident in the UK and be in the first year of an undergraduate geography degree at a UK Higher Education Institution. Applicants must have the support of a lecturer at their UK HEI to participate in a fieldwork project. Applicants should demonstrate how opportunities to get involved in fieldwork would not be available to them were it not for the Field Apprenticeship, and where possible should demonstrate the challenging circumstances that prevent them from having access to such opportunities. These awards are supported through the generous donation of John and Anne Alexander and are part of a portfolio of grants, the Alexander Awards, to support and enthuse students from less advantaged backgrounds through fieldwork. One Apprenticeship is supported through the generous donation of the Hepworth Family, through the Dorothy Hepworth Expedition Award. Recipients are expected to share their experiences with others, for example at their own institution or through the Professional Ambassadors programme.

The Gino Watkins Fund Awards

The Gino Watkins Fund Awards support expeditions guiding and inspiring enterprising people towards scientific research and exploration in the polar regions. The Gino Watkins Memorial Fund gives grants annually of up to £4,000 towards expeditions that meet its objective of the diffusion and improvement of knowledge of the polar regions. The Fund endeavours to increase our knowledge of one of the least known, but most important parts of our planet, and also to stimulate the lasting qualities of enterprise, endurance and leadership gained in this uniquely arduous environment. The Fund was established in 1933 in memory of Henry George ('Gino') Watkins, who revolutionised polar exploration. Expeditions supported by the Fund visit Greenland and other high Arctic lands, as well as the Antarctic. Applications come from researchers, expeditioners, adventurers and organised groups, with particular favour given to expeditions that bring experience and training to young people or those early in their career.

Neville Shulman Challenge Award

The Neville Shulman Challenge Award aims to further the understanding and exploration of the planet - its cultures, peoples and environments - while promoting personal development through the challenges involved in undertaking a research project or expedition. Established in 2001 by Neville Shulman CBE for the Royal Geographical Society, each year two awards of up to £10,000 are given to challenging research projects or expeditions. Applicants must demonstrate how the project is challenging – both physically and in terms of the issue being studied and the new insights that will be generated. Projects should have elements of both local and global interest, a clear purpose to advance geographical knowledge through well outlined methods of data collection, and with opportunities to share findings widely. Applications are invited from both individuals and groups. Project proposals directly relating to PhD or MSc research will not be accepted. It is expected that the grant will provide the majority of funding needed to undertake the project.

RGS Explore Grants

The RGS Explore Grants offer £500 to £5,000 to support teams undertaking overseas expeditions. As the successor to the Geographical Fieldwork Grants, the Society's longest running grant scheme, these awards are designed to support and enable the next generation of explorers and field researchers, especially those undertaking their first overseas projects. Awards will be made to teams undertaking original, challenging journeys with meaningful local collaborations at their core, aiming to advance geographical knowledge and deepen understanding of the world's environments, people and places. The expedition is expected to take place outside of the UK with a minimum of four weeks in the field, ideally undertaken between April and October.

The Next Challenge Expedition Grant

The Next Challenge Grant is an annual bursary for adventures that was started in 2015 and has funded over 70 different adventures. The money comes from Tim Moss (founder), small crowdfunded donations, and contributions from other adventurers. The grant was created to give back to the adventure community, as the founder received many expedition grants when younger that helped him undertake fantastic adventures. In 2015, the website earned £200 in advertising revenue which was offered as a grant, and when announced, many other adventurers and 100 members of the public matched the pledge, raising £1,600. This process now happens every year, typically raising around £2,000. The money is distributed between winning applicants, each receiving between £100 and £800 plus equipment. The grant is primarily aimed at beginners and those who have not done lots of expeditions before. Winners also receive equipment available to borrow and email support from Tim Moss. The grant is open to all people, of all ages, and of any nationality.

The Jack Bloor Fund

The Jack Bloor Fund was established in 1985 to commemorate the life of Jack Bloor, a Yorkshire legend and pioneering fell runner, climber, orienteer, caver and cyclist. The Fund continues Jack's enthusiasm for encouraging young people to enjoy the outdoors whilst always aiming to fulfil their potential. The Fund provides grants to young people under 26 years who live or are based in Yorkshire to improve their physical and/or technical skills in any recognised outdoor adventure sport. Applications are welcome all year round and are reviewed individually by the Jack Bloor Trustees. The Fund supports activities including fell running, cycling, mountaineering, outdoor first aid courses, independent expeditions, orienteering, athletics, sailing, biathlon, canoeing/kayaking, climbing, and various qualifications. Successful applicants are asked to provide a short report and photographs detailing what the grant has helped them achieve. Money for the Fund is raised through donations and the annual Jack Bloor Races held on Ilkley Moor each May.

Horizon Lectures Adventure Fund

The Horizon Lectures Adventure Fund provides grants of £450 to encourage and enable people to undertake their own adventurous trips, ideas and expeditions. The fund welcomes a broad range of ideas but does not accept applications from individuals taking part in organised trips or commercial expeditions. Successful applicants are required to deliver a 25-minute talk following their trip to the Horizon Lectures audience in Oxfordshire and acknowledge the fund on expedition websites and reports. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with no fixed closing date, and decisions are typically communicated within 3 months of application. Additional expenses for travelling to speak at events in Oxfordshire are not provided, so applicants should factor this into their planning.

Andrew Croft Memorial Fund Grants

The Andrew Croft Memorial Fund was established in 1998 to preserve and promote the life, spirit and hopes of Colonel Andrew Croft DSO OBE, Arctic explorer and wartime commando. The Fund provides grants annually for expeditions and research in the Arctic regions, as well as supporting other initiatives within its charitable objectives. The Fund advances education of young people below the age of thirty in subjects which can be advanced by research and field work particularly in the Arctic, by providing grants to enable participation in scientific expeditions. The Fund also supports charitable purposes for the benefit of Arctic communities and assists members of Her Majesty's Constabulary with the cost of further education and training to enhance their effectiveness within the community. Grants are approved annually in March/April each year. The Fund operates as a registered charity (number 1078106) and evaluates applications at the discretion of its Trustees, supporting expeditions and initiatives that align with Colonel Croft's legacy of developing talent, leadership, and Arctic exploration. Applications are welcomed from young people seeking to participate in Arctic research and field work, as well as from police officers pursuing further education and training opportunities.

Zack Martin Breaking Barriers Grant

The Zack Martin Breaking Barriers (ZMBB) Grant was created in memory of Zack Martin, an avid climber and humanitarian who died just before his 25th birthday. This grant seeks to fund expeditions that focus primarily on humanitarian efforts and secondly on an objective involving alpinism, mountaineering, rock/ice climbing and bouldering. Successful candidates must demonstrate how their expedition fully encompasses both tenets of this grant. The humanitarian objective must have immediate impact, be sustainable, feasible and assure continuity to provide benefits to local people after initial implementation. Ideally, objectives will teach locals 'how to', enable infrastructure and provide some level of continued support and funding. The alpine objective must focus on alpine related adventure and/or discovery in the natural environment. Exploration in other areas such as ski mountaineering or river exploration that lead to a greater understanding and improvement of the alpine environment could also be considered.

Mountaineering Fellowship Fund Grant

Started in 1966, the Mountaineering Fellowship Fund Grant has long encouraged American climbers age 25 years and younger to go into remote areas and seek out climbs more difficult than they might ordinarily be able to do. Unexplored mountain ranges, unclimbed peaks, and difficult new routes are looked upon with favor. The review committee encourages applications from teams emphasizing the fellowship component of their objective. Grants are awarded based on the proposed project's excellence and evidence of appropriate mountaineering experience. Recipients are expected to act as American Alpine Club ambassadors to the domestic and international climbing communities, practice environmentally low impact and leave no trace ethics, and submit expedition reports upon return.

McNeill-Nott Award

The McNeill-Nott Award was established by the American Alpine Club in partnership with Mountain Hardwear in memory of Sue Nott and Karen McNeill, who died on Mt. Foraker in 2006. This award preserves the spirit of these two talented and courageous climbers by providing grants to amateur female climbers exploring new routes or unclimbed peaks with small and lightweight teams. The award focuses on projects with strong exploratory and adventuresome mountaineering objectives, with these elements being more important than the technical rating of the climbing objective. Two or three grants between $700 and $4,000 are awarded annually to amateur teams that best meet the criteria for pursuing an exploratory objective. The program is only open to female-led teams, with preference given to teams composed entirely of female or female-identifying members. Teams must climb with the highest ethical standards using a minimum of fixed ropes, camps, personnel, and equipment. Commercial, professional, and principally cause-related expeditions are ineligible.

Cutting Edge Grant

The American Alpine Club has inspired and supported cutting-edge climbing achievements for over 100 years. The Cutting Edge Grant, presented by Black Diamond, continues this tradition, aiming to fund advanced climbing athletes in pursuit of world-class climbing and mountaineering objectives. The grant seeks to fund individuals planning expeditions to remote areas featuring unexplored mountain ranges, unclimbed peaks, difficult new routes, first free ascents, or similar world-class pursuits. Objectives featuring a low-impact style and leave-no-trace mentality are looked upon with favor. Cutting Edge Grant awards significantly contribute towards total expedition costs, typically falling in the $4,000 to $10,000 range, though award amounts vary based on project and budget. Recipients are expected to provide comprehensive documentation including trip reports, photography, articles for the American Alpine Journal, and may be asked to give presentations at AAC events.

The Alison Chadwick Memorial Grant

The Alison Chadwick Memorial Grant was established in 1978 in memory of Alison Chadwick, a leading British mountaineer who died close to the summit of Annapurna whilst participating in the American Women's Annapurna Expedition. The Memorial Fund was instituted to provide grants to further British and Polish women's mountaineering in the world's greater ranges. In 1991, administration of the fund was transferred to the Mount Everest Foundation. The Award can be made to expeditions with mainly female climbers, or to individuals taking part in mixed expeditions. Applicants should use the standard MEF application form, and their eligibility will be considered automatically during the screening process. This grant specifically supports women's mountaineering expeditions to major mountain ranges around the world. It honors the legacy of Alison Chadwick by enabling female mountaineers from Britain and Poland to pursue ambitious climbing objectives in remote and challenging environments.

Capital Projects Grant

The Garfield Weston Foundation provides capital grants for building works, repairs, or equipment necessary to an organization's work. Capital grants are normally no more than 10% of a total project cost. For local community projects such as village halls, community centres, and places of worship, grants are unlikely to exceed £30,000 regardless of project size. Organizations applying for £100,000 or more must have annual income or project value over £1 million. The Foundation expects applicants to have around half of the total project costs raised before applying and to demonstrate local fundraising activity showing community support.

The Yapp Charitable Trust Grant Programme

The Yapp Charitable Trust provides grants exclusively to small registered charities with total annual expenditure of less than £50,000. The Trust funds ongoing core costs associated with regular activities or services that have been operating for at least a year. Priority is given to charities working with elderly people, children and young people, people with physical impairments, learning difficulties or mental health challenges, people overcoming life-limiting social problems such as addiction or abuse, and education and learning particularly for the educationally disadvantaged. The Trust prioritises charities delivering services in areas of high deprivation, work that is unattractive to the general public or unpopular with other funders, services helping marginalised, disadvantaged or isolated people, and applicants demonstrating effective use of volunteers and elements of self-sustainability through user fees or subscriptions.

Small Grants

The Forte Charitable Foundation offers Small Grants to support community-focused organizations working in deprived areas of the UK. These single-year grants range from £2,000 to £10,000 and can be used for core costs, salaries, running costs, and project costs. The program specifically targets organizations located in areas identified by the Indices of Multiple Deprivation - either in the bottom 15% most deprived urban areas or bottom 50% most deprived rural areas. The foundation's preference is for front-line organizations working directly with people in need, providing essential community support services. Applicants must have an annual income not exceeding £250,000 and be able to secure 50% of the total project costs from other sources. The grant will cover a maximum of 50% of the total cost of the project, salary, or core running costs. Successful applicants can re-apply for funding for up to two additional years, allowing for a maximum of three years of support. Organizations must be embedded in their local community and able to start spending the grant within 1-2 months of receipt. Capital projects are not funded under this program. The foundation does not support campaigning, organizational development, capacity building, or work that represents a significant shift away from an organization's existing core aims and experience. However, they will consider new work if it is a logical extension of existing activities.

Small Grants for CTN Resilience & Biosecurity

As part of the Growing Together programme, The Tree Council, together with partners M&G and Defra, is piloting this small grants fund to support existing community tree nurseries (CTNs). These grants are intended to support the purchase of capital items that help enhance and improve infrastructure and resilience, strengthen biosecurity, and boost tree growing capacity. The programme aims to transform communities and nature through locally grown trees. In addition to financial grants, a CTN biosecurity starter kit is available to applicants for free. This funding opportunity is specifically designed for existing community tree nurseries across the United Kingdom to strengthen their operations and capacity.

The Thomas Farr Charity Grant

The Thomas Farr Charity is a grant-making trust established in 1989 following the sale of the Home Brewery. The charity supports charitable projects and activities in Nottinghamshire, focusing on areas where the Home Brewery had a historical presence. The main areas of giving include education, youth, health, and the elderly. The charity operates as a general charitable trust, allowing the Trustees to apply income for charitable purposes at their absolute discretion. Trustees meet three times each year in March, July, and November to review applications. Grant amounts distributed annually depend on the income generated from the charity's investments. Applications are welcomed from organizations working in community healthcare, health education, lifelong learning projects, community development, personal social services addressing social deprivation, crime prevention schemes, and community social activities promoting engagement for vulnerable people. The charity does not support individuals, large national charities based outside Nottinghamshire, loans or business finance, campaigning or political work, activities that have already taken place, or general mail shot appeals.

Sea-Changers Coastal Fountain Fund 2026

The Coastal Fountain Fund aims to protect coastal habitats from the harmful effects of single-use plastic water bottles by supporting communities to purchase water refill fountains for busy or environmentally significant coastal areas. The fund is sponsored by Bunzl Plc and provides grants towards the cost of purchasing water fountains suitable for filling water bottles, either floor or wall mounted, that are publicly available and typically installed outdoors. Grants of up to £2,500 are available per applicant towards the cost of a fountain. The fund welcomes applications from all types of not-for-profit organisations who have identified a need and are well-placed to build the stakeholder involvement needed to make the project a success. Part of the funding comes from Our Only World, a marine conservation charity, and their contribution will be allocated to organisations applying for an Our Only World fountain. Applicants are encouraged to read the eligibility and evaluation criteria carefully and consult Refill's guidance on installing water fountains. The fund covers only the fountain purchase cost, not installation or ongoing maintenance. Previous fountains installed by applicants have cost between £2,000-£3,000, though costs can range from £1,200 to £4,000. Priority is given to new applicants, though previous recipients may reapply.

Sea-Changers Scottish Learning Fund

The Sea-Changers Scottish Learning Fund enables early-stage and small community-based groups in Scotland involved in marine conservation activities to learn, share knowledge, network and develop skills with other groups. The fund recognizes that in-person learning and networking can accelerate the development of community projects and the spread of good practices. Travel between Scotland's coastal communities, particularly those of the Highlands and Islands, can be prohibitive for small voluntary and community groups, and this fund seeks to address those challenges. The fund is made possible by the William Grant Foundation and The Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund. Grant requests generally should not exceed £750 and can cover costs including travel to events, workshops and meetings, accommodation, subsistence costs (capped at £25 per day), seminar costs, and online learning activities such as developing video case studies or hosting webinars. Applications are welcome from charities, not-for-profit organisations and community groups with a focus on marine conservation, with at least two groups involved in each project - a provider and one or more beneficiaries.

ReQuest Foundation Youth Polar Projects Grant

The ReQuest Foundation provides grants to support young people aged 16-24 undertaking polar projects. These projects can include research/technical work, education, creative/artistic endeavors, or expeditions/explorations related to the polar regions. The foundation welcomes applications for polar-relevant projects of various kinds. Applicants must be UK residents or British citizens and be members of a youth organisation. Each applicant must have an advocate (a non-family adult supporter) from their youth organisation. The foundation reviews applications on a six-monthly cycle with deadlines of 31st January and 31st July each year. Initially, grants of up to £500 per six months are offered, rolling over to no more than £1000 per year. The financial contribution may be contingent on other funds being raised and/or achieving staged milestones. Recipients must provide a case study within two months of completing their project.

Now on Earth Youth Adventure Grant

The Now on Earth Youth Adventure Grant is designed to enable young adults to undertake adventurous expeditions that help develop self-confidence, resilience and mental wellbeing. The grant is intended to support those who would otherwise struggle to finance their adventure. A significant role in the organisation of any trip is considered a key part of the learning experience, so grants are not awarded to individuals seeking to partake in organised trips, races, courses or events. The grant supports human-powered expeditions involving physical exertion with clearly defined goals that are as original as possible and span a minimum of 3 days. Expeditions must be self-organised and recorded afterwards in a blog post with photographs or film format for sharing on the website and social media. Applications for adventures with purpose (environmental, social etc) and close to home UK-based expeditions receive extra scoring points. Grant awards generally range between £100-£500 depending on the expedition, although potentially more in a minority of cases. The expedition must take place within 12 months of the grant being awarded. The grant is currently closed with plans for the next fundraiser in June/July 2026.