Building on National Geographic’s legacy of
supporting exploration worldwide for more than a century, the Global
Exploration Fund establishes local support for Research, Conservation
and Exploration projects tied to regional networks. The grantees and
outcomes supported by the fund will benefit from National Geographic
media and outreach with support from a scientific advisory committee,
executive committee and regional partnerships.

The Global Exploration Fund – Northern Europe is
open to residents of Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany,
Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, the
United Kingdom and Ireland to work anywhere in the world. Applications
can be submitted in three categories: Research, Conservation, and Exploration.

From Middle America’s steaming volcanoes to England’s iconic Stonehenge- Northern European Grantees have got it covered. Check out our 5 new grants below, and get in touch with Emily Landis and Camilla Hansen for media inquiries and additional info.  Find our program online or search for projects on the NGS Exploration Portal.

What: New Study Concerning Jawed Vertebrates Promises Gripping Results
Who: Martin D. Brazeau,    DOB: 8/4/1981     Canada
       Working in: Mongolia/Asia    Ph.D.
Why: New data may reveal exceptionally preserved fossils that shed light on early jawed vertebrate evolution.
       Today’s jawed vertebrates comprise more than 99% of vertebrate diversity, including sharks, rays, bony fishes, and terrestrial animals. The origin of these species can ultimately be traced back to a single common ancestor that lived as much as 420 million years ago. Martin Brazeau plans to examine the following 60 million years during the time in which many key features of major vertebrate groups began to take shape.

What: Looking at the Origins of Stonehenge’s Stones
Who: Michael G. Parker Pearson.   DOB: 6/26/1957  United Kingdom     
         Working in: United Kingdom     Ph.D.
Why: A geophysical survey could provide more insight into Stonehenge’s mysterious origin and purpose.
     Evidence that ‘bluestone’, a type of stone used to build Stonehenge, was carried about 180 miles from Wales to south central England could enhance our understanding of Stonehenge’s origins and purpose. Excavating the Welsh site should establish whether it’s the site of an early stone circle that was later dismantled and taken to Stonehenge’s current location. Michael Parker Pearson plans to investigate a new hypothesis that the bluestones were taken from the stone circle in Wales as an act of unification for the people of southern Britain.

Photograph by Joe McNally/Sygma

Continue reading “Northern Europe’s 5 Newest Grantees”