Deadline: November 23, 2025
Are you a postdoctoral researcher passionate about exploring the Arctic or high-mountain environments? The Walters Kundert Fellowship 2025–2026 is now open for applications, offering a generous £10,000 award to support innovative field research that contributes to our understanding of environmental change.
Offered by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), this prestigious fellowship supports cutting-edge geographical research in some of the world’s most remote and climate-sensitive regions.
About the Walters Kundert Fellowship 2025–2026
The Walters Kundert Fellowship 2025–2026 is an annual award designed to encourage high-quality field research in Arctic or high-mountain environments. The emphasis is on projects that enhance our understanding of environmental change, particularly in regions experiencing rapid transformations due to climate impacts.
Fellowship Overview:
- Funder: Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
- Funding Amount: £10,000
- Focus Areas: Arctic or high-mountain fieldwork; strong preference for projects on environmental change
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is open to:
- Post-PhD researchers affiliated with a UK university or recognised research institute
- RGS Fellows or members working outside the UK
Applicants must propose a research project that includes significant fieldwork in an Arctic or high-altitude environment and demonstrates clear academic value and environmental relevance.
Fellowship Objectives
The purpose of the fellowship is to:
- Advance geographical knowledge and understanding
- Support field-based research that examines physical or environmental processes in fragile and extreme regions
- Contribute to policy-relevant science, especially in the context of climate and environmental change
Key Dates and Timeline
- Application Deadline: 23 November 2024
- Results are typically announced in early 2025 to allow researchers adequate planning time for their upcoming field season.
Highlight from a Previous Recipient
The 2025 awardee, Dr Matthew Baddock (Loughborough University), received the fellowship to support his research in West Greenland, where he used remote cameras and in-situ measurements to quantify Arctic dust sources—an increasingly important factor in climate studies.
How to Apply
To apply for the Walters Kundert Fellowship 2025–2026, follow these steps:
- Visit the Royal Geographical Society’s official fellowship page
- Download the application form and carefully review the eligibility, evaluation criteria, and submission guidelines
- Email your completed application to: grants@rgs.org
You’ll need to submit:
- A research proposal (with objectives, methodology, and expected impact)
- A detailed budget
- A statement of institutional endorsement
- Any relevant ethical approval documentation (if applicable)
Evaluation Criteria
Applications are assessed based on:
- Scientific rigour and clarity of the proposal
- Relevance to Arctic or high-mountain field research
- Feasibility of the proposed work and field conditions
- Contribution to understanding environmental change
Summary of the Walters Kundert Fellowship 2025–2026
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Fellowship Name | Walters Kundert Fellowship 2025–2026 |
| Funding Body | Royal Geographical Society (RGS-IBG) |
| Funding Amount | £10,000 |
| Eligible Applicants | Post-PhD researchers (UK and RGS members abroad) |
| Research Focus | Arctic or high-mountain fieldwork; environmental change |
| Deadline | 23 November 2024 |
| How to Apply | Submit via email to grants@rgs.org (see official site for details) |
Ready to Apply?
If you’re interested in applying for this highly competitive fellowship, don’t delay your preparation. Ensure your proposal is impactful, technically sound, and aligned with the fellowship’s core objectives.
📩 Need support?
Contact grantsdatabase.org for proposal drafting, refining and review.
