Expeditions

For many, the terms “geography” and “expedition” are synonymous.

Expanding knowledge of Canada’s geography through exploration and scientific expeditions, the Royal Canadian Geographical Society has a long history of funding both major and modest expeditions across the country.

Expeditions grant program

The goal of the RCGS Expedition Program is to enhance the appreciation, understanding and knowledge of the physical, environmental and cultural geography of Canada by recognizing and encouraging the spirit of discovery and adventure through expeditions taking place largely within Canada.

Committee members:
Zac Robinson (Chair), TA Loeffler (Vice-Chair), John Pollack (Past Chair), Jean-Marie Beaulieu, Lisel Currie, Jill Heinerth, Priidu Juurand, Helen Sovdat

Learn more and apply for funding Meet the committee members

From coast to coast to coast and everywhere in between

In 2024, the Royal Canadian Geographical Society is pleased to award nine applicants with expedition funding and use of the compass rose flag. We are proud to support such a distinguished group of explorers who move through these lands with both curiosity and respect, while challenging their physical ability.

Learn more about our 2024 Grantees See past and future expeditions

Nat Gillis Adventure Photography Expedition Grant

Up to $5,000 a year will be awarded to an emerging photographer with an expedition in mind that symbolizes the adventurous spirit and unbridled joy for nature that the late Natalie Gillis exemplified. Ms. Gillis was a Fellow of the RCGS, and was an enthusiastic member of our expedition and photo community. We remember her through this annual grant.

Those interested in applying to this grant can do so by filling out the form at the bottom of this page.

Support this grant by donating

David Sawatzky Cave Expedition Grant

The David Sawatzky Cave Exploration Grant supports cave exploration and science in Canada. David Sawatzky began caving in 1971 and quickly earned a reputation as being one of the “hardest” of the Canadian cavers with a knack for making new discoveries and finding unexplored sections in older caves thought to be “finished.” He made significant discoveries in the caves of western Canada and on Vancouver Island, conducted some of the first cave dives in Castleguard Cave, mapped the Ottawa River Caves, and participated on a NatGeo sponsored expedition to Laos to map one of the largest river caves in the world. Professionally, he served as a physician in, and a contractor for, the Canadian Armed Forces, including 14 years as a consultant in hyperbaric and diving medicine at DCIEM (Defence and Civil Institute of Environmental Medicine) in Toronto. He retired with the rank of Lt. Col. in 2014. He now lives in Halifax, and is a strong supporter of Canadian cave exploration and science.

Those interested in applying to this grant can do so by filling out the form at the bottom of this page.

Support this grant by donating

Expedition Application Form

This form must be completed in one sitting. All of the information requested on this form is required. Before submitting your completed application please ensure that you have answered all questions and met all of the requirements.

NOTE: This form does not have an automatic save function. Please ensure that you save your work elsewhere to ensure it is not lost in completing this process.

I have read the instructions to apply for expedition funding^*

Yes

And I understand this application must be completed in one sitting.

Title of the Expedition

Provide a short description of your expedition^*

(Maximum characters: 150)

Provide a brief synopsis of the proposed expedition, summarizing key objectives and geographical region^*

(1,000 characters max)

A detailed summary of relevant expedition experience, relevant skills & training & qualifications (including first aid/rescue)^*

What type of grant are you applying for?^*

Expedition Of The Year: Up to $15k; normal range $10k-$15k

Major Grant: Up to $5k; normal range $3-5k

Women's Expedition: Up to $5k; normal range $3-5k

Indigenous Expedition: Up to $5k; normal range $3-5k

Seed Grant: Up to $3k; normal range $500 – $3k

Not all grants may be awarded in a given year.

If you are applying for the Indigenous Grant, please indicate which First Nation(s), Métis or Inuit community(ies) to which you belong.

Expedition website

Expedition Facebook page

Expedition Twitter page

Other relevant URLs

Expedition Leader Name^*

First

Last

Expedition Leader's Citizenships

Canadian Citizen

Canadian Permanent Resident

Other

Expedition Leader address^*

Street Address

Address Line 2

City

State / Province

ZIP / Postal Code

Country

Expedition Leader Phone^*

Expedition Leader Email^*

Leader's Expedition Experience^*

A detailed summary of relevant expedition experience, relevant skills & training & qualifications (including first aid/rescue)

Expedition Member #2 Name

First

Last

Expedition Member #2 Citizenships

Canadian Citizen

Canadian Permanent Resident

Other

Expedition Member #2 Address

Street Address

Address Line 2

City

State / Province

ZIP / Postal Code

Country

Expedition Member #2 Expedition Experience

A detailed summary of relevant expedition experience, relevant skills & training & qualifications (including first aid/rescue)

Expedition Member #3 Name

First

Last

Expedition Member #3 Citizenships

Canadian Citizen

Canadian Permanent Resident

Other

Expedition Member #3 Address

Street Address

Address Line 2

City

State / Province

ZIP / Postal Code

Country

A detailed summary of relevant expedition experience, relevant skills & training & qualifications (including first aid/rescue)

Expedition Member #4 Name

First

Last

Expedition Member #4 Citizenships

Canadian Citizen

Canadian Permanent Resident

Other

Expedition Member #4 Address

Street Address

Address Line 2

City

State / Province

ZIP / Postal Code

Country

A detailed summary of relevant expedition experience, relevant skills & training & qualifications (including first aid/rescue)

Expedition Member #5 Name

First

Last

Expedition Member #5 Citizenships

Canadian Citizen

Canadian Permanent Resident

Other

Expedition Member #5 Address

Street Address

Address Line 2

City

State / Province

ZIP / Postal Code

Country

A detailed summary of relevant expedition experience, relevant skills & training & qualifications (including first aid/rescue)

Expedition Member #6 Name

First

Last

Expedition Member #6 Citizenships

Canadian Citizen

Canadian Permanent Resident

Other

Expedition Member #6 Address

Street Address

Address Line 2

City

State / Province

ZIP / Postal Code

Country

A detailed summary of relevant expedition experience, relevant skills & training & qualifications (including first aid/rescue)

If any Expedition Members are not Canadian residents, please explain

Due to COVID-19, this may factor into eligibility for expedition funding. (Maximum 200 characters)

Minors

If you have participants who are minors please describe whether a) their parents or guardians will be present, and if not b) what authorizations and insurance are being used by the leaders.

Expedition type

(example: mountaineering, canoeing, hiking, sailing, other ....)

Expedition Details

Clear outline of the project, including the objective of the expedition

(Maximum characters: 2,500)

Timeframe FROM

YYYY-MM-DD

Timeframe TO

YYYY-MM-DD

Outreach/Communications

Expedition applicants must have a well-developed outreach component in one or more popular media (including print, online, video, etc.), as well as through public, community, and/or school presentations. Maximum 1500 characters.

Subsistence Costs^*

Costs requested from RCGS

Subsistence Costs^*

Costs required from other sources

Transportation Costs^*

Costs requested from RCGS

Transportation Costs^*

Costs requested from other sources

Technical Services Costs^*

Costs requested from RCGS

Technical Services Costs^*

Costs requested from other sources

Equipment Rental Costs^*

Costs requested from RCGS

Equipment Rental Costs^*

Costs requested from other sources

Supplies and Materials Costs^*

Costs requested from RCGS

Supplies and Materials Costs^*

Costs requested from other sources

Other Costs^*

Costs requested from RCGS.

Please specify what the "other" funds requested from RCGS are required for^*

Other Costs^*

Costs requested from other sources.

Please specify what the "other" funds requested from other sources are required for^*

Total requested from RCGS^*

Total requested from other sources^*

Detailed budget

Drop files here or

Detailed summary of anticipated funding including all requests made to the RCGS, funding requests from other organizations and status of funding/sponsorship.

Permits and licenses

Provide a list of all permits and licences necessary for the expedition, the status of these, and anticipated completion of receipt of all. NOTE: you do not have to have these in hand when applying but you must indicate what permits and licenses are required and indicate which First Nations you are consulting (if applicable). All permits and licences must be in hand before any funding is released.

Safety and communications

A detailed summary (1,500 characters) of the expedition’s risk and crisis management plans to ensure expedition and personnel safety. The summary must include emergency procedures and options in the event of a serious incident.

Environmental management plan

Including but not limited to provision(s) for disposal of waste, human and other; Mitigation techniques to minimize the human footprint of the expedition; Techniques for minimizing impact on flora and fauna; Plans for minimizing human / wildlife conflicts Maximum 1500 characters

MANDATORY COVID-19 PLAN

Applicants are required to submit (as an attachment to your application) a detailed COVID-19 plan that considers the safety of team members as well as local communities and individuals. This plan must discuss the feasibility of the proposed expedition in view of current travel restrictions and conditions in Canada and must outline the Covid precautions the project plan to take. Failure to provide a detailed report will disqualify the application. Note the Federal Government, provinces and territories have significant travel and quarantine restrictions. Current conditions may be viewed at https://travel.gc.ca/covid-19-provinces-territories. If feasible consider noteworthy expeditions that operate within your province or territory of residence. There is also information pertinent to interactions with Indigenous communities at https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1581964230816/1581964277298 and for conducting field operations in the North at https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1592488460967/1592488485841.

Reference letters

Drop files here or

Letters from two professional references who are familiar with the expedition and can comment on the value of the proposal

Other uploads

Drop files here or

Maps, letters, other details that may add to your application for expedition funding.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please note, there is no way to return to this form once you hit submit.

Number

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