Deadline: 31-Jan-23

The Next Challenge Grant is now open for applications. It is open to anyone, anywhere in the world and you do not need expedition experience to apply.

It was started in 2015 and has funded over 70 different adventures. The money comes from (Tim Moss), small crowdfunded donations and contributions from other adventurers.

Funding Information

• This is a small grant. Awards have been between £60 and £800 but are typically £100 or £200.
• Expeditions over £5,000 are unlikely to get funding. If the high costs include flights, several team members or equipment then they are very unlikely to get funding.
• Expeditions under £500 are much more likely to get funding.

Eligibility Criteria

• The grant is open to all people, of all ages and of any nationality.
• It is primarily aimed at beginners and those who have not done lots of expeditions before.
• The following are the basic rules that need to be adhered. To be eligible for the grant, all trips must:
  • Happen in 2022
    • If your trip will start later than 2022 then you can apply next year. He don’t fund trips that have already happened.
  • Be independently organised
    • Your trip cannot be part of an organised trip, race or event.
    • This includes volunteering through an organisation. The trip must be organised by you and your teammates with no-one else taking part. This is an absolute.
  • Be for adventure not science
    • This grant is for adventure, not science.
    • PhD research, scientific studies, field trips, volunteering overseas and the like are not eligible. It’s OK if your adventure includes a bit of science on the side but it can’t be the focus of your trip.
    • (There are lots of other grants available for scientific expeditions. Try the Royal Geographical Society or James Borrell’s website)
  • Involve physical exertion
    • Trips must involve some form of physical exertion e.g. walking, cycling, climbing, swimming, running, camping.
  • Usually involve camping
    • Unless your trip only lasts for one day, it should probably involve sleeping outside at some point.
    • This isn’t absolute. There have been a few exceptions such as swimming the Yorkshire coast and cycling up Alpe d’Huez eight times. But it’s a good rule of thumb.

• Be original
  • It is hard to define what is original and what isn’t. But the most common applications that fall foul of this are:
    • Mountaineering trips particularly up well-known peaks. Climbing is great but it’s often hard for others to relate to and there are also lots of other grants available for climbing trips (e.g. BMC/MEF).
    • Cycle tours Tim Moss have funded many bike trips but they tend to be slightly different to just cycling from A to B. He love cycle touring but it’s unlikely to get you a grant.
    • Popular routes Applications to travel well-known walking trails, cycle routes and the like are unlikely to get funding without an original angle.

For more information, visit https://thenextchallenge.org/next-challenge-grant-2023-open-for-applications/