Grants and In-Kind Support to USA, Canada, and International Researchers to Address Worldwide Challenges

Level I and Level II Funding

Agency

Foundation

GrantWatch ID#

199092

Funding Source

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

Geographic Focus

All USA
USA Territories: American Samoa (USA); Guam (USA); Puerto Rico (USA); Virgin Islands (USA); Northern Mariana Islands (USA);
USA Compact Free Associations:The Federated States of Micronesia (USA) Marshall Islands (USA) Republic of Palau (USA)
International, Israel and Canada.

Important Dates

Deadline: 04/12/23 11:59 PM EDT

Grant Description

Grants and in-kind support to USA, Canada, and International new and established researchers to address worldwide challenges and present innovative solutions. Certain applicants are required to submit an LOI prior to a grant application. Eligible programs may align with one of the following areas of interest: wildlife, ocean, land, human ingenuity, and human history and cultures.

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 Funding: Embark on a New Era of Exploration

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.

In addition to receiving funding, recipients of Level I Grants will join a global community of National Geographic Explorers from around the globe and gain access to training courses, software tools, and other resources.

Level II Funding: Further Your Impact

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.

Disciplines for Level II funding:

Conservation
Education
Research
Storytelling
Technology

For discipline-specific sample applications, see Supporting Documents, below.

For information on compensation and eligible expenses, see the Budget Guidelines in Supporting Documents below.

Recipient

Eligibility

Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)

Additional Eligibility Criteria

The National Geographic Society warmly welcomes and encourages applicants from historically and currently underrepresented and underserved populations to apply. National Geographic is committed to funding a diverse and globally representative cohort of Explorers. The National Geographic Society does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, or disability.

Level I Grants:
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 I Grants are only available to individuals who are new to the National Geographic Society network, as well as individuals already in the network who are not yet Explorers, including: team members on previous grants, National Geographic Young Explorers awarded in 2019 or later who have completed and closed out their previous grants, recipients of discretionary funding opportunities such as the COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Journalists and the COVID-19 Remote Learning Emergency Fund, and grant recipients from the China Air & Water Fund.

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:
This grant opportunity is designed for individuals who are more established in their field and/or are seeking a higher level of funding. These grants are highly competitive and reserved for select projects that push boundaries to achieve significant and tangible impact in your field.

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. However, as this level is highly competitive, applicants should make a strong case for why their project is relevant and impactful, and why they are best suited to carry out the work.

Recipients of Level II Grants will join—if they are not already a part of—a global community of National Geographic Explorers, but will not have a structured experience like Level I Grants will offer.

Ineligible

Individuals who are already National Geographic Explorers (i.e., those who have already received a grant from the National Geographic Society) are not eligible to apply for Level I Grants.

Pre-Application Information

- Level I and Level II Grant proposal submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 12, 2023.
- 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.
- Level I and Level II applicants will be notified of funding decisions in September 2023.
- Those who applied to the October 2022 deadline will receive funding decisions in March 2023.

Applications are only accepted through the online portal. Please do not mail or email your application.

The application must be submitted in English, although English does not have to be your primary language.

Applicants are recommended to identify local collaborators and to have considered access to facilities and equipment prior to submitting the pre-application.

You may submit a proposal as the project leader for only one National Geographic Society grant at a time.

Estimated Size of Grant

Level I Grants receive funding up to $20,000. Recipients of Level I Grants will join a global community of National Geographic Explorers from around the globe and gain access to training courses, software tools, and other resources.

Level II Grants are extremely competitive and recipients receive funding up to $100,000. Smaller requests will be accommodated and will not be more or less competitive.

Term of Contract

Level I: Projects can be up to one year in length, although projects with “Technology” as the primary focus can be up to two years.
Level II: Projects can be up to two years in length.

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

Contact Information

Grants - Level 1 Pre-Application: https://grants.nationalgeographic.org/s/sfdcpage/%2Fapex%2FFGM_Portal__CommunityCampaign%3Fid%3D7013p000002R7MZ%26isdtp%3Dp1

Grants - Level 2 Applicaiton: https://grants.nationalgeographic.org/s/sfdcpage/%2Fapex%2FFGM_Portal__CommunityCampaign%3Fid%3D701360000007x8f%26isdtp%3Dp1

If you have any questions, please contact funding@ngs.org. In your subject line, please indicate focus area and project type (e.g., “Ocean Conservation”, “Land Technology”, “Wildlife Storytelling”, “General”) to help expedite a response.

National Geographic Headquarters
1145 17th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036

Grants and In-Kind Support to USA, Canada, and International Researchers to Address Worldwide Challenges

Level I and Level II Funding

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