Grants of up to $50,000 to USA, Canada, and International experienced professionals for exploratory, and broad-interest projects in the fields of conservation, research, storytelling, education, and technology. Support is available for projects that are innovative, bold, and transformative.

National Geographic welcomes applications from around the world, and specifically encourages applicants from outside the United States to apply. Applicants planning to work outside of their home country should include at least one local collaborator on their team. The Committee will not usually consider applications that support strictly laboratory or collections work. Grants are awarded on the basis of merit and exist independent of the Society's other divisions.

Project Focus Definitions:

Conservation:

Conservation grants support projects that aim to achieve quantifiable outcomes as a result of 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.

Applications for Biological or Environmental Sustainability:
Applicants must propose projects that result in or inform tangible solutions that contribute to the conservation of natural resources. Examples of such projects include determining the status of endangered species or ecosystems; developing conservation action plans; implementing innovative solutions to conservation issues; using new technologies to investigate or mitigate threats; or engaging local communities in education or other activities that will improve or increase community-driven conservation efforts. Conservation grants are awarded based on conservation urgency and priority; potential impact; qualifications of the applicant and his or her team to complete their objectives; and a proven record of measurable success in previous efforts . National Geographic Society encourages applications focused on neglected and endangered or critically endangered biodiversity.

Example disciplines: conservation science including biology, ecology, wildlife conservation, and social sciences

Example outputs: species action plan or protected area designations, management plan, policy paper for decision makers, training or education programs, monitoring and evaluation report of ongoing conservation efforts

Applicants for Cultural Sustainability:

Applicants must propose projects that result in or inform tangible solutions that contribute to the long-term survival of cultural resources. Examples of such projects include determining the status of endangered languages or cultures; working in close collaboration with communities to facilitate cultural sustainability and design revitalization action plans; implementing innovative solutions to preserve archaeological sites or landscapes; using new technologies to document or mitigate threats to sites or communities; or engaging local communities in education, storytelling, or other activities that will foster community support for cultural survival. Conservation grants for cultural sustainability are awarded based on demonstrated urgency and priority; potential impact; intellectual rigor; qualifications of the applicant and his or her team to complete their objectives; and a proven record of measurable success in previous efforts .

Example disciplines: public anthropology, community archaeology, indigenous archaeology, cultural heritage studies, biocultural conservation, cultural geography, indigenous or traditional knowledge studies, linguistics

Example outputs: protected status for communities, management plan for mitigating threats, policy paper for decision makers, training or education programs, monitoring and evaluation report of ongoing conservation efforts, cultural revitalization activities, historical or ethnographic maps

Education:

Education grants help learners move from curiosity about and understanding of the world to taking action on issues. Grant-funded projects aim to teach people about the world and how it works, empowering them to make it a better place. Projects may introduce innovative instructional strategies for students of any age and in any location. Other projects may take proven ideas and scale or replicate them for larger audiences or different geographical areas. Projects also may measure what is working in education and add to the body of knowledge about how people learn. Education grants are awarded based on having an innovative approach coupled with sound pedagogy and methodology; potential for impact on the education field; alignment with one of the Society’s lenses; the qualifications of the applicant and his or her team to complete their objectives; and a proven record of measurable success in their respective areas of expertise .

Example fields: K-12 formal education, adult education, informal education, community education, professional development, higher education

Example outputs: curricula, educational media, delivery platforms, research reports, action plans, educator or student publications, other evidence of change or impact on learners

Research:

Research 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 demonstrate important data baselines are also encouraged. Research grants primarily support fieldwork expenses; however, the Society will also consider laboratory and technology costs as part of the overall project budget (in addition to stipend, where applicable). Research grants are awarded based on their scientific merit; the clarity and importance of the research questions and the methods used to answer them; qualifications of the applicant and his or her team to complete their objectives; and a proven record of disseminating previous results .

Example disciplines: anthropology, archaeology, biology, ecology, geography, geology, natural history, oceanography, paleontology, sociology

Example outputs: scientific publication, survey data report, map

Storytelling:

Storytelling grants support people who pursue projects that demonstrate the power of science and exploration to change the world. Storytelling grants are awarded based on fresh story angles; potential of the project to reach its target audience; qualifications of the applicant and team; and alignment with one of the Society’s lenses. This focus area includes projects that strive to study how scientific storytelling can achieve measurable impacts. All applicants should demonstrate a proven record of successful media projects , and submitting a portfolio is strongly suggested. Projects may stand alone or be distinct components of larger efforts. Awarded funds will support field expenses and equipment, and budgets may include stipends to applicants without full-time, paid positions. Approval of a storytelling grant does not guarantee publication by National Geographic. Storytellers assigned to approved National Geographic media projects may apply if the grant proposal independently fulfills the Society’s institutional priorities.

Example disciplines: photography, filmmaking, cartography, journalism, digital media, graphic design, data visualization, audio design

Example outputs: photo exhibit or portfolio, short film (digital distribution or exhibitions), written article, mixed digital media story, infographic, podcast, oral presentation

Technology:

Technology grants support the development of new technologies and methods or the innovative applications of existing technologies that can improve our ability to explore, protect, and tell the story of our world and its inhabitants. These grants are awarded based on how significantly the innovation will transform a particular problem or discipline; qualifications of the applicant and team; and a proven record of developing or deploying technology designs . Awarded funds support materials, fabrication, and other development costs, and budgets may include stipends. Applicants must secure the proper permits for any tests described in the project proposals, and proof-of-concept field trials are highly encouraged.

Example disciplines: mechanical engineering, computer science, microwave engineering, materials science

Example outputs: prototype, design document, source code, field test report, technical journal publication

Project Expenses:

National Geographic Society funds usually support travel (including for teams, students, and participants) and fieldwork (including equipment and supplies). A minority of the requested budget can be allocated for lab work or analyses.

Equipment requests (e.g., computers, cameras, sampling equipment) may be included in the budget, but you will need to explain how the equipment is integral to the project and not available through other sources of funding. Exceptions are occasionally considered on a case-by-case basis, and applicants should contact program staff before applying.

The National Geographic Society recognizes that conducting active fieldwork presents challenges for those responsible for child care and elder care. If you are the primary caregiver, or have an extenuating circumstance that would make it impossible to complete your fieldwork without additional funds for caregiving, the Society will allow expenses incurred due to caregiving. These costs must make up less than 25 percent of your total project budget and be no more than $5,000. If your regular caregiver is able to provide care or if you have another option for handling your caregiving needs, you are not eligible to include caregiving costs in your budget.

In order to include these costs in your proposal, please list the amount requested for caregiving under the Miscellaneous section of your application budget. Additionally, please provide details within that section to justify your need for dependent care and explain how you determined the caregiving budget (e.g., by hourly rate for a local caregiver, travel for the dependent). These funds can cover the cost of extra dependent care at home or on-site when grantees are in the field for their project, as situationally appropriate.