The PONANT Science Expedition Grants put one scientist, or a team of two, aboard the polar expedition ship Le Commandant Charcot for a multi-week voyage to carry out their own research project. The award is run by The Explorers Club, a multidisciplinary society in New York dedicated to the advancement of field research, scientific exploration and resource conservation, together with its travel partner PONANT EXPLORATIONS.
A grantee does two jobs at once: run the research project, and bring the ship’s travellers into it through lectures, workshops and, where possible, hands-on sample collection. The Club frames the program around illuminating and preserving the world’s landscapes, cultures and wildlife through science and education, and describes its recipients as changemakers from around the world.
What the award gives is passage and working space rather than money: a double-occupancy scientist cabin, onboard meals and access to the ship’s lab facilities. Applications for the 2027 season are closed and the Club asks applicants to check back for the next cycle. The program page calls these periodic opportunities and publishes no date for the round after this one.
Benefits & funding
- A double-occupancy scientist cabin aboard Le Commandant Charcot for the voyage.
- Onboard meals for the duration of the voyage.
- Access to the ship’s lab facilities.
- A place on a multi-week expedition voyage, with the ship’s itinerary as the field platform.
- No cash component. The awardee pays their own travel to and from the vessel’s departure and return sites, professional liability insurance, any applicable permits, and everything else the proposed research needs.
Eligibility
- Open to scientists and explorers who are affiliated with a research institution; the affiliation is a stated requirement.
- At least 18 years of age.
- An application may be for one scientist or for a team of two; the page makes no provision for a larger team.
- Proof of professional liability insurance coverage of up to US$2,000,000 is required, held individually or through a research organisation.
- The applicant must obtain and pay for any permits the research needs.
- No nationality or residency condition is stated on the program page. The Club states on its Rolex Explorers Club Grant page that it cannot consider proposals for work being conducted in China or from Chinese citizens; that statement is made for that grant and is not repeated here.
- The page addresses Explorers Club members, scientists and explorers, and does not state that Club membership is required.
- Finalists take part in a feasibility study with PONANT EXPLORATIONS’ Science Team, so the project has to be workable aboard the ship on its planned voyage.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Age requirement
≥ 18 yrs
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Application process
- 1Watch the program page for the next cycle: applications for the 2027 season are closed and the Club asks applicants to check back for updates.
- 2Settle the two hard requirements before writing anything — an affiliation with a research institution, and proof of professional liability insurance of up to US$2,000,000, individually or through that institution.
- 3Decide whether you are applying alone or as a team of two scientists.
- 4Prepare a research project that can be carried out during a multi-week voyage aboard Le Commandant Charcot, including how travellers will take part through lectures, workshops and sample collection.
- 5Cost the parts the award does not cover: travel to and from the vessel’s departure and return sites, permits, and research materials.
- 6Apply through the route the Club posts on the program page once the next cycle opens.
- 7If you reach the final stage, take part in the feasibility study with PONANT EXPLORATIONS’ Science Team.
Program timeline
applications closed; the Club asks applicants to check back for updates on the next cycle
2027 season
Next cycle
no opening date or deadline published on the program page
The Explorers Club general grant cycle
applications open in August and September, deadlines fall in October and November, awards are announced in March, unless a program’s own application says otherwise
The voyage
multi-week, aboard Le Commandant Charcot