Ralph Brown Expedition Award

  • Start Date:

  • Deadline:

  • Agency:
    Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) (RGSIBG)

The Office of Grants and Research (OGR), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), invites eligible researchers to apply for the Ralph Brown Expedition Award, offered by the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) (RGS-IBG). This award supports field-based research expeditions in aquatic environments, contributing to the advancement of geographical and environmental knowledge.

Programme Overview
The Ralph Brown Expedition Award is designed to support a lead researcher undertaking an expedition focused on aquatic systems, including coral reefs, rivers, lakes, and shallow marine environments. The award encourages high-quality, original fieldwork that contributes to understanding aquatic ecosystems, environmental processes, and geographical change.

Key Details

  • Funder: Royal Geographical Society (RGS-IBG)

  • Funding Type: Grant (Expedition Award)

  • Maximum Funding: Up to GBP 12,500

  • Submission Deadline: 23 November 2026

  • Eligible Applicants: Early-career to established researchers

  • Membership Requirement: Applicants must be Fellows or Members of RGS-IBG

  • Nationality: Open to applicants from any country

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Be a Member or Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society

  • Have a clearly defined aquatic research expedition

  • Demonstrate the ability to lead and manage field-based research

  • Show evidence of scientific merit and feasibility

Funding Scope

The award supports:

  • Costs associated with research expeditions in aquatic environments

  • Fieldwork in marine, freshwater, and coastal systems

  • Data collection, equipment, travel, and logistical support

  • Research contributing to geographical and environmental knowledge

Eligible Disciplines

  • Coastal Geography and Processes

  • Freshwater Ecology and Limnology

  • Marine Biology and Marine Ecology

  • Marine and Estuarine Ecology

  • Marine Geology

Strategic Focus Areas

  • Advancing understanding of aquatic ecosystems and processes

  • Supporting field-based scientific exploration

  • Generating new insights into environmental and geographical change

  • Promoting international field research collaboration

How to Apply
Applicants should review the full guidelines and submit applications via the official RGS-IBG portal:
https://www.rgs.org/ralphbrownexpeditionaward

Applicants are expected to present a well-structured expedition proposal, including clear research objectives, methodology, fieldwork plan, and expected scientific contributions, demonstrating the potential for significant impact in aquatic research and geography.