Deadline: 23-Nov-2026
The Geographical Club Award is now accepting applications for grants that support PhD students undertaking geographical fieldwork and data collection in the UK or overseas. The programme is designed to assist doctoral researchers with fieldwork-related expenses and gives preference to students who do not receive full funding for these activities from other sources.
Two grants of £1,000 each are available to support geographical research and data collection activities connected to PhD projects.
Overview
The Geographical Club Award aims to help PhD students carry out fieldwork and other forms of data collection that contribute to their geographical research.
The programme supports research activities conducted both within the United Kingdom and internationally. Preference is given to students who have limited access to funding for fieldwork and data collection and who are not fully supported through research councils, universities, or comparable funding sources.
Funding Information
- Number of grants available: 2
- Grant amount: £1,000 each
- Total funding available: £2,000
- Purpose: Support geographical fieldwork and data collection activities
Eligible Activities
Funding may be used to support:
- Geographical fieldwork
- Research-related data collection
- UK-based field research
- Overseas field research
- Activities directly connected to a PhD research project
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must:
- Be registered as a PhD student
- Be enrolled at a UK Higher Education Institution
- Be undertaking geographical fieldwork or other forms of data collection related to their research
Preference will be given to applicants who:
- Do not receive full fieldwork funding from a research council
- Do not receive full fieldwork funding from their university
- Do not receive comparable levels of support from other funding sources
Selection Considerations
The award particularly seeks to support students who need financial assistance to carry out fieldwork and data collection.
Preference is given to applicants who:
- Have limited funding available for research activities
- Require support to undertake fieldwork
- Need assistance with research-related data collection
- Are not fully funded through other schemes
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Ensure that you:
- Are registered for a PhD programme
- Study at a UK Higher Education Institution
- Are undertaking geographical fieldwork or data collection
Step 2: Prepare Your Research Information
Provide details about:
- Your PhD research project
- Planned fieldwork activities
- Data collection methods
- The location of your research
Step 3: Demonstrate Funding Need
Explain:
- Current funding arrangements
- Any gaps in fieldwork support
- Why additional funding is required
Step 4: Submit Your Application
Complete the application and provide all required information relating to your research and funding needs.
Tips for Applicants
- Clearly explain how the fieldwork contributes to your PhD research.
- Demonstrate the importance of the proposed data collection activities.
- Provide details of any existing funding support.
- Explain why additional financial assistance is needed.
- Outline how the grant will help complete your research objectives.
Why This Grant Matters
Fieldwork and data collection are often essential components of geographical research, but they can involve significant costs. The Geographical Club Award helps PhD students access funding that supports the collection of valuable research data, enabling them to advance their studies and contribute to geographical knowledge both in the UK and internationally.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Geographical Club Award?
- It is a grant programme that supports PhD students carrying out geographical fieldwork and data collection in the UK or overseas.
- How much funding is available?
- Two grants of £1,000 each are available.
- Who can apply?
- PhD students registered at a UK Higher Education Institution.
- What activities are eligible for funding?
- Geographical fieldwork.
- Research-related data collection.
- UK-based research activities.
- Overseas research activities.
- Is preference given to certain applicants?
- Yes.
- Preference is given to students who do not receive full funding for fieldwork and data collection from research councils, universities, or other comparable sources.
- Can fieldwork take place outside the UK?
- Yes.
- The programme supports both UK and overseas fieldwork.
- What is the purpose of the grant?
- To assist PhD students with fieldwork-related activities and data collection connected to their geographical research.
Conclusion
The Geographical Club Award provides valuable support for PhD students undertaking geographical fieldwork and data collection in the UK and abroad. Through two grants of £1,000 each, the programme helps researchers access funding for essential research activities, with particular consideration given to students who do not have full financial support for their fieldwork.
For more information, visit Royal Geographical Society.