National Geographic Society Grants Program

Overview

The National Geographic Society’s Grants Program provides seed funding and support to early career individuals, as well as those more advanced in their careers, who are working to address critical challenges, advance new solutions, and inspire positive transformation across all seven continents. Funded projects will incorporate science, storytelling, and/or education, and must align with one or more of the Society’s five focus areas: Ocean, Land, Wildlife, Human History & Cultures, and Human Ingenuity.

Grants will be available in two distinct categories: 

Level I Grants: If you are working to establish yourself in your field, hope to gain experience leading projects, are interested in joining the National Geographic Explorer community, and have not yet received a grant from the National Geographic Society, you may apply for a Level I Grant for one-year long projects. These grants are highly competitive and priority will be given to applicants who thoughtfully demonstrate how joining the Explorer Community will help to establish their career.

This opportunity is designed for individuals who may be earlier in their career, those looking to establish themselves better in their field, those seeking mentorship from others in their field and beyond, or those who want to grow their network and enhance their impact by joining a global community of National Geographic Explorers. This opportunity is best suited for individuals who have the potential and desire to make significant positive contributions to their field by leveraging the funding, capacity, and additional support provided by the National Geographic Society and connections to other Explorers.

Level II Grants: If you are more established in your field, have previously received a grant from the National Geographic Society, or are seeking a higher level of funding, you may apply for a Level II Grant.

You are not required to have previously received a grant from the National Geographic Society to apply for this opportunity. These grants are highly competitive and reserved for select projects that push boundaries to achieve significant and tangible impact in your field.

Project Types:

Conservation
These grants aim to achieve quantifiable outcomes as a result of evidence-based and
scientifically-informed actions. There must be a demonstrated need and urgency for
conservation, as well as a clear method to evaluate the success or failure of the project.
Applicants must propose projects that result in or inform tangible solutions that contribute to the
conservation of natural resources or the long-term survival of cultural resources.

Education
These grants support projects that use educational resources, methodologies, and/or strategies
to inspire learners of all ages, in any educational setting, to learn about, care for, and protect our
world. Projects may build capacity in a community to support solutions to protect our world.
Projects may also advance knowledge through educational research or innovative tools.
Applicants should propose projects that either introduce innovative ideas or take proven ideas
and scale or replicate them for larger audiences and/or different geographical areas.

Research
These grants support high-quality scientific projects that aim to answer clear questions with
measurable outcomes that advance a particular field of knowledge. Established projects should
be driven by testable hypotheses. Exploratory projects to pilot new methods or gather important
data baselines are also encouraged. Research grants primarily support fieldwork expenses;
however, we will also consider laboratory and technology costs as part of the overall project
budget (in addition to a stipend, where applicable).

Storytelling
These grants support projects that use techniques like photography, filmmaking, and journalism
to demonstrate the power of science and exploration to change the world. Applicants should
show a record of successful media projects, and must submit a portfolio. Projects may standalone or be distinct components of larger efforts. Awarded funds may support field expenses,
equipment, and stipends for freelancers. Approval of a storytelling grant does not guarantee
publication by National Geographic media.

Technology
These grants support the development of new technologies and methods or the innovative
application of existing technologies that can improve our ability to explore, protect, and tell the
story of our world and its inhabitants. Awarded funds support materials, fabrication, and other
development costs. Applicants must secure the proper permits for any tests described in the
project proposals, and are highly encouraged to conduct proof-of-concept field trials.

If you are working on a project outside your home country or community, or with datasets coming from outside your home country or community, you must include at least one collaborator local to the project's country and/or community on your team who is significantly involved in the project

Funding requests at Level I can be up to USD $20,000. 
Funding requests at Level II can be up to USD $100,000. 

Anyone can apply for Level II grant, including National Geographic Explorers as well as those new to our community.

Project start dates should be a minimum of six months after the submission deadline to ensure any awarded funds are received in time.

Level I applicants who submit pre-applications will be notified of decisions in May 2023, whether declined or invited to submit a full application. Invited applicants will have seven (7) weeks to submit a full application. Level I full applications will be due by 11:59pm EDT on June 27, 2023.

You must submit a final report and media from any previous National Geographic Society grants for which you were the leader before applying to lead a new project.

Please note: National Geographic Society grants support individuals leading projects. Funding can be accepted through an affiliated institution or individual, but the relationship will be between the Society and the Explorer. Our grants do not support organizations, but can support individuals leading work with or via an organization.