Expeditions Program

Student expedition, Pond Inlet, Nunavut (Photo: Liz Maffett)

Extending our current knowledge of Canada’s geography through exploration and scientific expeditions, the RCGS has funded some major expeditions across the country.

Expedition of the Year

The 2010 Expedition of the Year was undertaken by Dr. Antoni Lewkowicz of the University of Ottawa who explored the impact of climate change on permafrost conditions in the Yukon and northern British Columbia.

Applications for the 2012 Expedition of the Year funding will be accepted starting January 10, 2012.  To qualify for the Expedition of the Year $25,000 grant, an expedition must meet all the usual guidelines for expedition funding from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and the following:

• expedition must take place in Canada, north of 55° N
• expedition must focus on fresh water resources, either scientific research or observation and documentation through other media such as photography, video, film or other visual arts
• as part of the post-expedition educational outreach, the expedition is expected to publish their observations either as a scientific research paper, a book or magazine articles, a film or video, or a website.

RECENTLY FUNDED EXPEDITIONS Waterworld: The First Exploration of Nameless Waterways in the Hudson Bay Lowlands 2010 Expedition of the Year — Climate Change and Permafrost : In August 2010, the expedition team obtained permafrost and climate data at field sites along 1,300 km of the Alaska Highway between Whitehorse YT and Fort St. John BC. Ellesmere Light — John Dunn and Clive Rubens : A challenging journey — a two-person hiking traverse from the north to the south of Ellesmere Island during the Arctic summer.

APPLY FOR FUNDING How to apply Information on application guidelines and procedures are available online. Deadline for applications is March 15th of each year. Learn more »

LISTING OF EXPEDITIONS