What Would You Explore for $3,000?

Calling all adventure junkies: WildChina is once again offering its Explorer Grant for an intrepid traveler who wants to venture off the beaten path in China. If that sounds like you, you’ve got until November 16 to apply for the USD 3,000 grant.

To be in the running, here’s what you’ll need to submit :

  • A 90-second video explaining why you view your trip as an exploration, and why you're excited about it. If the video is in Chinese, you must upload it to Youku. For all other languages, the video must be uploaded to YouTube.
  • Purpose and goals of expedition (less than 1 page)
  • Specific budget requirements with an itemized breakdown of projected cost
  • An itinerary for the expedition
  • A risk management plan including expected risks
  • A brief statement about the appropriateness of the expedition to the experience level of the participants
  • A brief statement about how you will share this experience, in a substantial and meaningful manner, with WildChina

WildChina is looking for explorers who will help bring to light a long-lost route or a culturally significant issue, promote aid in a remote community or otherwise highlight discovery or rediscovery. You'll have a better chance at winning if you can demonstrate a passion for exploration, previous experience traveling in China and eco-travel awareness.

This is the third year that the WildChina Explorer Grant has been offered. The 2011 recipient, Jeff Fuchs, trekked through the isolated and unknown portion of the Tsalam route in Qinghai, also referred to as the Tea Horse Road. Last year, the grant was split between Shanghua Zhang, who backpacked through the backcountry in Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan, and William Bleish and Yan Lu, who will be scouting a new route along the backbone of the Ailao Mountains in Yunna.

For more details about the application criteria and the judging panel, go to WildChina.com.

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