Expedition Grants

Aims

The Scottish Arctic Club has an Expedition Fund from which it makes financial awards to encourage young people to explore the Arctic. The fund is maintained through donations by Club members. The size and number of awards made is determined by the relevance of the application and the funds currently held. In recent years awards have ranged from £200 to £1000. See list of recent awards.

Criteria

We support independently organised and self-led expeditions to the Arctic by Scots (by birth or residence) who are under 30 years of age. Expeditions should have adventurous, scientific, educational or artistic objectives. Consideration will also be given to applicants with strong Scottish connections and younger applicants undertaking their first Arctic expedition organised by others, for instance, by a school, youth group or charity. There will be a presumption against low-arctic trips in summer, and those relying on fixed accommodation. Priority will be given to applicants who have not previously received Scottish Arctic Club funding.

Our sister club, the Arctic Club also promotes and supports interesting, innovative and adventurous expeditions in the Arctic, particularly for young people, and does not require a Scottish connection. The closing date for applications is 31 January. Applicants for winter or spring expeditions should contact the Arctic Club Secretary and are welcome to submit applications before this date.

Application Process

Applicants should complete the Application Form (click to download). The completed form should be sent, preferably electronically, to the Expedition Fund Secretary using the contact details on the Application Form.

The application must be received by the Expedition Fund Secretary by 31st January of the year in which the expedition is taking place. If you are applying to other funding bodies you may submit a copy of your other application, provided that this covers all of the information requested in our own form.

Applications will be considered by the committee of the Scottish Arctic Expedition Fund. In circumstances where an award may be neither possible nor appropriate, the Committee will endeavour to provide advice.

What happens after an award is made?

Recipients are expected to submit a report of their expedition by October of the year in which their expedition takes place. This should be at least 500 words but the length will be dependent on the nature of the expedition and the relevance of information to the future and use by other potential expeditions. These reports are added to the Scottish Arctic Club Library and made available to those planning future expeditions.

Award recipients will be invited to give a 10 minute slide presentation at the Scottish Arctic Club’s Annual Gathering in November.