The National Geographic Society Level 1 Grant is a grant from the National Geographic Society that funds individuals working on projects at the intersection of science, conservation, storytelling, and education that advance the Society's mission to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world.

The Society has awarded more than 15,000 grants since 1888, supporting a global community of Explorers from all walks of life—spanning field expeditions, laboratory research, documentary storytelling, and community-based conservation. Eligible applicants are individuals aged 18 and older; those working outside their home country must include at least one local collaborator on the project team. Awards reach up to $20,000.

The application deadline for the most recent cycle was April 12, 2026.

Grants and Investments - National Geographic Society Our Strategy Invest in bold Explorers We have awarded more than 15,000 grants since our founding in 1888. The recipients of these grants, who we call National Geographic Explorers, are a community of changemakers from around the world working to support our mission to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Our Explorers are people of all walks of life from all over the world.

They don’t just venture to the tops of mountains or the bottom of the ocean. They’re also in the lab diving deep into the microscopic world, in their local communities capturing the stories of a fishing village, or in the classroom sharing their discoveries with the next generation. We fund individuals working on projects in science, conservation, storytelling, education, and technology that align with one or more of our focus areas.

And we don’t just support their incredible work. We actively seek to help them network, connect, and learn with National Geographic and each other, empower them with cutting-edge tools, technology, and training, and further their impact and recognition through our storytelling. We explore, understand, and conserve marine and coastal systems and inspire and empower local and global audiences to better understand and protect the ocean.

We explore, understand, and conserve terrestrial and freshwater systems and inspire and empower local and global audiences to better understand and protect our lands, lakes, and rivers. This focus area covers projects informed by science that inspire and empower local and global audiences to better understand and protect wildlife, including animals, plants, and fungi.

Human Histories & Cultures We preserve cultural knowledge and better understand human histories, culture, diversity, and evolution — past and present; and inspire and spark curiosity in local and global audiences with stories or lessons about humanity. We explore the relationships and interdependencies between human health and the environment. These include all natural systems, such as oceans, land.

atmosphere, flora, fauna, fungi and microbes. We dedicate ourselves to exploring and understanding the universe and supporting National Geographic Explorers who examine and illuminate our world and what lies beyond it. Our community The Explorer Mindset A grant from the National Geographic Society means more than just funding!

Learn what it really means to be a National Geographic Explorer and get to know our community. We offer grant opportunities at various entry points to provide a dynamic pathway to join our community and engage with us.

Whether you are an aspiring Explorer or already a luminary in the field, each opportunity has unique criteria and benefits to ensure that our Explorers receive support and funding aligned to their specific needs and goals. Each year, a small number of grants are awarded to individuals who are just beginning their National Geographic journey, as well as those who are working on more advanced projects.

Submission Deadline: May 25, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT Stories, and the people who tell them, matter more than ever. At a time when we’re flooded by noise and competing causes, authentic storytelling is critical to being able to cut through the clutter and evoke emotion in a way that causes people to respond and to act.

National Geographic and The Climate Pledge seek to turn the power of storytelling toward illuminating climate resilience and solutions around the world. Illuminating the Mekong River Basin Submission Deadline: May 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT This Request for Proposals invites a community of storytellers to illuminate the complex network of interconnected issues rooted in the Mekong River Basin.

Our goal is to support creative projects across all mediums that elevate Ancestral Knowledge and cutting-edge science into our collective awareness. Common Waters: Strengthening Community-based Coastal and Riverine Stewardship Submission Deadline: May 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM EDT (June 1 at 3:59 AM UTC).

National Geographic Society and Lindblad Expeditions are in search of innovative and impactful projects that strengthen community-based stewardship and conservation of coastal and riverine ecosystems. Projects can focus on a wide range of specific issues, including (but not limited to) local conservation and ecosystem restoration, climate change adaptation and resilience, or sustainable fishing/agriculture.

for grant-seekers More information We recommend reviewing the following information before applying for funding. If after reviewing information and materials you have additional questions, please email funding@ngs. org .

Want to view budget guidelines? Budget Guidelines and Template 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.

The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of, and connection to, the local context in which they are conducting their work.

Many National Geographic Explorers: Are members of their local communities Live in or near the areas where they conduct fieldwork, Speak the local languages necessary to implement their projects, [or] Have strong and/or long-standing relationships with stakeholders who can impact or are impacted by their work 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.

The National Geographic Society has zero tolerance for bribery and corruption, and complies with all applicable laws prohibiting such conduct including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.K. Bribery Act.

Grantees may not: offer or give anything of value to a government official or any other person as an incentive to, or in exchange or as a reward for, obtaining an improper advantage for National Geographic; or give, offer, solicit or accept anything of value that is intended to induce the recipient to violate his/her duty of loyalty to his/her employer.

All licenses, permits and other government permissions or approvals required to carry out a grant must be obtained through the lawful, legitimate process of the country where the grant activity occurs. The National Geographic Society complies with all embargoes and sanctions established by the U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Asset Controls (OFAC).

If any work under the proposed grant will be performed in countries including but not limited to Cuba, Iran, Syria, North Korea, and Crimea, you must consult your legal counsel to ensure that an appropriate general license is available, or a specific license has been obtained, allowing the grant activity to take place.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Commerce must be notified when certain items are exported (including encryption software standard on all computers). You must consult with your legal counsel and comply with all export requirements applicable to the grant work.