The Explorers Club runs this fellowship so classroom teachers get real field experience and can model for their students what the club calls the traits of world-class explorers: curiosity, collaboration and confidence.
Fellows spend about two weeks on expedition as full team members, working next to local and international scientists, conservationists and other specialists. The 2025 cohort was four K-12 teachers who joined geothermal scientist Andrés Ruzo at Peru’s Boiling River. Five fellows were named for 2026: four returned to the Boiling River and one joined the Menorca Shipwreck Project in Spain.
The commitment does not end in the field. Fellows come home as club ambassadors, hosting explorers at their schools and writing lesson plans that the club publishes on its Learning Hub.
Benefits & funding
- A place on a working expedition, roughly two weeks, as a full expedition team member rather than an observer.
- Fieldwork beside the expedition’s own scientists — geothermal research with Andrés Ruzo at Peru’s Boiling River, or underwater archaeology on the Menorca Shipwreck Project.
- The chance to earn professional development or continuing education hours through your school.
- A continuing role with the club afterwards: hosting explorers at your school and publishing lesson plans on The Explorers Club Learning Hub.
- The club does not publish a cash award figure or an itemised list of what it pays for; the fellowship is presented as the club sending teachers on expedition. Confirm the cost terms when the cycle opens.
Eligibility
- Current K-12 classroom teachers.
- Based in the United States, Canada or Mexico.
- Teachers from public and Title I schools are especially encouraged — a stated preference, not a requirement.
- No published nationality, age, degree or years-of-experience requirement.
- Teaching roles beyond a standard homeroom post have been selected: the 2026 fellows include an innovation and technology coordinator and an elementary library media specialist.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Application process
- 1Watch the fellowship page from mid-November 2026, when the club says the next application cycle opens.
- 2Apply through the form the club posts on that page during the open window; while applications are closed the club does not publish the materials list or a closing date.
- 3Wait for the selection announcement in late spring — the 2026 fellows were published on 22 May 2026.
- 4Join your assigned expedition in the summer, about two weeks in the field.
- 5Deliver the ambassador work after you return: host local explorers at your school and write lesson plans for the club.
Program timeline
Applications open for the next cycle
Mid-November 2026
Late May
Fellows announced (the 2026 cohort was published on 22 May 2026)
Summer
Expedition, about two weeks in the field
After the expedition
Ambassador work — school visits and lesson plans for the club