James Marr
125 Award

To mark the 125th anniversary of the birth of James Marr and 25 years since the opening of the British Antarctic Survey base at King Edward Point, South Georgia, the ReQuest Foundation and the South Georgia Association are jointly funding the James Marr 125 Award.

The award will support a young person from the UK aged 16-24 planning to undertake a polar project that includes South Georgia, helping to inspire a new generation of explorers, scientists and adventurers.

James Marr was born in 1902 and first visited the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia at the age of 18, when he was selected from thousands of applicants to be one of two Scouts chosen to join Sir Ernest Shackleton aboard Quest on the Shackleton-Rowett Expedition. It marked the beginning of a distinguished polar career during which Marr became a world-leading scientist and expert on Antarctic krill.

He later returned to South Georgia as a zoologist with the Discovery Investigations, undertaking scientific exploration of the Southern Ocean. In 1943, he was appointed leader of Operation Tabarin, the wartime expedition that evolved into the British Antarctic Survey, which opened its current scientific base at King Edward Point 25 years ago.

Through the James Marr 125 Award, his legacy of exploration, scientific discovery and adventure continues to inspire future generations.

Do I need to visit South Georgia?

No. Travel to South Georgia is not a requirement of the James Marr 125 Award. We welcome applications for projects that increase understanding, appreciation, conservation, or awareness of South Georgia, whether they involve a visit to the island or are carried out elsewhere.

      Applications close: 31 March 2027

       Applications close: 31 March 2027