Applications are open for the 2025 Neville Shulman Challenge Award for research projects or expeditions worldwide. The Neville Shulman Challenge Award was established in 2001 by Neville Shulman CBE and is designed to encourage ambitious research projects or expeditions. The award seeks individuals or teams ready to undertake innovative and challenging work that delivers new insights into the world’s environments, communities, and cultural diversity. Each selected project must have both local and global relevance and present well-defined methods of data collection.

Every year, two awards of up to £10,000 are granted to support these exceptional projects. Applicants must demonstrate the challenging nature of their expedition—both physically and in terms of intellectual exploration—while outlining how the results will be widely shared to benefit the global community. This funding aims to provide the majority of resources needed to bring these projects to life.

Key Details and Dates

• Application Deadline: 30 November 2025. 11:59 pm
• Funding Type: Grant
• Organizer: Royal Geographical Society
• Eligible Countries: All
• Eligible Gender: Male/Female
• Target Group: Individuals or groups undertaking challenging research projects or expeditions
• Focus Areas: Geography, exploration, cultures, peoples, environments
• Number of Opportunities: Two awards
• Program Language: English

Award Details

The award details are as follows:

• Up to £10,000 grant per award (two awards annually).
• Opportunity to undertake challenging and impactful research or expeditions.

Eligibility Criteria

The Neville Shulman Challenge Award applications are open for those who meet the following criteria:

• The application is open to both individuals and groups.
• Projects must be physically and intellectually challenging.
• Must have local and global interest.
• Proposals must clearly outline methods for data collection.
• Must aim to advance geographical knowledge.
• PhD or MSc-related projects are not eligible.
• The grant should cover the majority of project funding.

Required Documents

Applicants must submit the following documents:

• Completed RGS-IBG Grants Programme Application Form
• One-page CV of the applicant
• Two referee references (submitted separately by the referees).

Note:

• Do not send supporting documents such as previous reports, as they will not be considered.

How to Apply?

• Read the Society’s guidance for grant applicants
• Prepare a detailed project proposal that meets the award criteria
• Complete all required documents as per the
• Submit your application by email to the submission email before 30 November.

Submission Email: grants@rgs.org

For enquiries, visit the official website of the Royal Geographical Society.

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