YEG Awards for 2027
Applications are open for U25 peer group expeditions and individual members of expeditions in 2027.
How the awards work
A panel assesses applications against:
- young adults aged 25 or under, planning an adventurous pursuit or expedition
- the reason for the application and the nature of the project
- any special circumstances, e.g. at home, disability, disadvantage
- quality of application, bearing in mind the ability of the applicant where possible
- fair distribution of awards to obtain a balance, e.g. type of adventure, gender, minorities, age
For youth expeditions organised by schools, youth groups, etc., see the Evaluations page.
General Information
YEG offers grant aid to individuals aged 25 and under taking part in expeditions or other adventurous activities. See the guide to YEG awards below for what each award covers.
Are you planning to go on an expedition?
Download an Individual application form or Peer group application form to apply for an award. Further advice is available from the Grants team.
Guide to the YET awards
Applications are welcome from all types of young people undertaking expeditions or adventurous pursuits; the definition of adventure relates to the background and experience of the applicant. Recent awards have supported expeditions abroad and at sea, physical adventure, community projects, conservation work and fieldwork in developing countries, and participation in adventure courses.
YEG has many awards available to individuals on expeditions, or peer groups planning self-led ventures at home or abroad, with a common application form covering all of them. Most are named after explorers who achieved great feats in the past, encouraging today's youth to follow in their footsteps. The table below sets out each award and who it is named for.
Everest Award (est. 2012)
Named after the highest point on Earth, achieved by few; the award gives young people the chance to face their own "Everest" in an expedition setting
Primarily prospective expeditioners who have faced disadvantage
John Hunt Awards
John Hunt (later Lord Hunt) led the first ascent of Everest in 1952, founded Endeavour Training and supported the Duke of Edinburgh's Award; he was the first President of Young Explorers' Trust
Overseas expeditions only; priority to disadvantaged members
Vivian Fuchs Awards
Sir Vivian Fuchs, explorer of Africa and the Polar Regions, led the first Trans-Antarctic Expedition (1956–57); President of YET 1979–85 and later Vice President
Members of an overseas youth expedition, given annually
Jim Bishop Awards
Jim Bishop, engineer, scientist and explorer, was killed on an international expedition to the Karakoram; the fund, administered by YEG, was established by his family and friends
Stephenson Expedition Awards
Alfred Stephenson, first Chairman of the YET Expedition Screening Panel, was a noted polar explorer and member of the British Graham Land Expedition 1935–37
Members of an overseas youth expedition; priority to scout expeditions and individuals
David Hollier Award
David Hollier, teacher and scout leader, organised many youth expeditions abroad (Iceland, Africa, Norway) and was for many years a voluntary officer of Young Explorers' Trust
Members of an overseas youth expedition; priority to scout expeditions and individuals
YEG Awards (general fund)
Funded from donations not allocated to any of the other named awards
Young people from the UK who are members of an overseas youth expedition
Derbyshire Youth Exploration Group Award
Recalls Alison Hargreaves, first woman to summit Everest without oxygen, who took part in a Derbyshire youth expedition to Arctic Norway in 1977
Young members of overseas expeditions who live or are at school in Derbyshire
Peter Smith Award
Peter Smith taught Geography before becoming Chief Inspector of Geography for English Schools; a long-time Brathay Exploration Group member, he also served the Royal Geographical Society, including as Vice-President
Important information
Grants through the YEG Awards Scheme are made possible by the benevolence of individuals and organisations keen to encourage and support youth exploration. The scheme is a mechanism for managing applications and awarding grants. In deciding to whom grants are made, YEG has not evaluated the processes, systems, or risk management of the venture or of any main or third-party provider the beneficiary is to travel with or use the services of. The donation of an award does not confer a mark of evaluation on the venture or its providers.
Yorkshire Schools Exploring Society — an independent organisation, not a YEG programme. YSES makes awards annually to young people aged 15–19 in full-time education at a Yorkshire school or college, to help them take part in expeditions or adventurous projects at home or abroad. See www.yses.org.uk for details and an application form.
