Explorer Grant: Fuel for Bold, Useful Fieldwork

The Explorer Grant supports small, high-impact projects that get you into the field and bring back something others can use. Mapping, monitoring, storytelling, tools, or training that moves ocean and reef work forward.

Award: TBD. We will announce the amount before the next cycle. Plan a lean budget that gets the job done.

What we fund

• Targeted fieldwork that fills a clear data gap

• Simple tools that make field teams faster or safer

• Community science and education projects tied to local waters

• Documentaries, photo sets, or explainers that turn complex science into clear stories

• Proof-of-concept trials for restoration or monitoring methods

What we do not fund

• Tuition or salaries

• Laptops, phones, or high-end cameras without a specific, justified need

• Projects without a safety plan, permits when required, or measurable outcomes

Who should apply

• Students, early-career researchers, educators, community partners, and small teams

• People who can scope a tight plan, finish on time, and ship a usable result

• South Florida roots are a plus, but projects can happen anywhere with a solid plan and local buy-in

What you will deliver

• A finished product others can use: dataset, map, tool, field guide, exhibit, or short film

• A clear methods one-pager so someone else can repeat your work

• 5 to 10 photos or screenshots and a brief summary for our website

• If sensitive sites are involved, omit exact locations and share only appropriate detail

Budget guidance

Keep it simple and honest. Itemize everything.

• Eligible: small gear, consumables, instrument fees, permits, modest travel tied to the project, printing, software, storage

• Ineligible: general stipends, unrelated travel, luxury gear, expenses without receipts

• We may fund via reimbursement or direct purchase, depending on the plan

How to apply

1. Request the application formEmail projectanchordown@gmail.com with the subject line Explorer Grant Request + Your Name.Include your CV or resume and 3 to 5 sentences about your idea and where the work will happen.

2. Prepare your proposalYou will be asked for:

3. 300 to 600 word project summary with goals and significance

4. Simple timeline with milestones

5. Itemized budget (award amount is TBD, propose what you truly need)

6. Safety and ethics plan, including permits and contacts

7. If applicable, a short note of support from a mentor or community partner

How we choose

We prioritize:

• Clear impact and a concrete, shareable output

• Feasibility within time and budget

• Safety, permits, and good field practices

• Community benefit and respect for local knowledge

• Plans to make your results accessible

Timeline

• Rolling review with quarterly cycles

• Award amount and dates will be posted ahead of each cycle

• Projects typically run 4 to 12 weeks

Examples we like

• Drone-free shoreline survey using repeatable photo stations and a public method sheet

• Low-cost ROV transects that map reef rubble versus live cover, plus a simple data logger guide

• Storm-drain to shoreline litter map that informs a targeted cleanup plan

• Short film that explains coral bleaching for a local classroom, with teacher materials attached

• Seagrass health snapshot across three bayside sites, shared as a tidy dataset and map tiles

Reporting and credit

• Quick midpoint check-in by email

• Final package: output, methods one-pager, assets, and budget reconciliation

• Credit Anchor Down and list the Explorer Grant in any public materials

Questions or ready to request the applicationEmail projectanchordown@gmail.com with your CV. Tell us what you want to build and why it matters. We will point you to the right next step.