National Geographic Society Grants Program 2024

Deadline Date: September 11, 2024

Donor Name: National Geographic Society

Grant Size: $10,000 to $100,000

The National Geographic Society warmly welcomes and encourages applicants from historically and currently underrepresented and underserved populations to apply for its grants program.

The National Geographic Society is seeking innovative photography, short film, writing, data visualization and other storytelling proposals to help people consider some of the greatest questions of the time.

These projects should in some way work to explore one of the following questions:

• What does it mean to be human?
• What are the boundaries of Earth, or more precisely, what are the limits to what they can understand?
• What is the relationship between the human and natural worlds?

Focus Areas

• Ocean: The Ocean work aims to explore, understand, and conserve marine and coastal systems and empower people across the globe to better understand and protect the world’s ocean. 
• Land: The land work aims to explore, understand, and conserve terrestrial and freshwater systems around the world and empower others to better understand and protect the lands, lakes, and rivers.
• Wildlife: The Wildlife work covers projects informed by science that inspire and empower local and global audiences to better understand and protect wildlife, including animals, plants, and fungi. Projects may examine single species or groups of species, and species-habitat relationships in the wild. 
• Human History & Cultures: The Human Histories and Cultures work covers projects that aim to preserve cultural knowledge and/or better understand human histories, cultures, practices, diversity, and evolution–past and present; and projects that center communities and inform and inspire global audiences with stories or lessons about humanity.
• Planetary Health: The work in Planetary Health covers projects that explore the relationships and interdependencies between human health and the environment. 
• Space: The work in Space encompasses projects dedicated to exploring and understanding the universe and supporting National Geographic Explorers who examine and illuminate the world and what lies beyond it.

Grant Categories

• 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.
  • 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. Projects can be up to two years long.

Funding Information

• Funding requests of up to USD. $20,000 will be considered for Level I Grants.
• Funding requests of up to USD. $100,000 will be considered for Level II Grants.

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 the world. Projects may build capacity in a community to support solutions to protect the 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, they 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 stand alone 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 the ability to explore, protect, and tell the story of the 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.

Eligibility Criteria

• You must be 18 or older to apply for a National Geographic Society grant.
• Project start dates should be a minimum of six months after the submission deadline to ensure any awarded funds are received in time.
• If you are working on a project outside your home country or community, you must include at least one local collaborator on your team who is significantly involved in the project.
• You may submit a proposal as the project leader for only one project at a time.
• 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.
• The individual responsible for carrying out the project should write the application and be listed as the project leader.
• Level I Grants: Although applicants must be 18 or older at the time they submit their application, there are no other restrictions related to age or years of experience in their discipline. However, applicants will be expected to explain why they believe a new or stronger connection to the National Geographic Society could enhance their career.
• Level II Grants: Anyone can apply for this grant, including National Geographic Explorers as well as those new to the community. Although applicants must be 18 or older at the time they submit their application, there are no restrictions related to minimum years of experience in their discipline.
• The application must be submitted in English, although English does not have to be your primary language.

For more information, visit National Geographic Society.