National Geographic Society Grants

Archived Animal Welfare Arts, culture and heritage COVID-19/Coronavirus Cultural heritage environment Information Technology International issues Miscellaneous Natural environment and climate research Sustainable development Transport, travel and tourism World issues Africa Antrim & Newtownabbey Ards & North Down Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Asia and Middle East Australia Belfast City Causeway Coast and Glens Derry City and Strabane England Europe and Russia Fermanagh and Omagh Great Britain International Lisburn and Castlereagh Mid and East Antrim Mid Ulster Newry, Mourne and Down North America Northern Ireland Republic of Ireland Scotland South and Central America Wales Large (over £60,000) Medium (up to £60,000) Small (up to £10,000)

Track grant Notes

Overview

As the Society enters a strategic planning process — and in recognition of the challenges of conducting fieldwork during the COVID-19 pandemic — they have decided to pause most of their grantmaking opportunities following the October 21 deadline.

This will give them the opportunity to think strategically about how their grantmaking can create the greatest impact in illuminating and protecting the wonder of our world, in alignment with the Society’s mission and vision.

Current Opportunities

COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Journalists

The fund will distribute support ranging from $1,000–8,000 USD for local coverage of the preparation, response, and impact of this global pandemic as seen through evidence-based reporting. Beyond reporting on medical and physical health related to COVID-19, they especially encourage reporting that covers social, emotional, economic, and equity issues. Narratives around the pandemic necessarily include facts and numbers, but ultimately, must also go deeper—telling the stories of inequities that COVID-19 has brought to light.

They seek writers, photographers, videographers, audio journalists, cartographers, filmmakers, and data visualization experts to apply for this funding. Journalists should seek placement of this work within their local media ecosystems and must attribute their support to the National Geographic Society’s Emergency Fund for Journalists. However, you do not need to submit any formal commitments of publication or letters of support from editors or publishers. National Geographic Society or National Geographic Partners may also choose to publish some of this work as part of its global coverage.

Find out more here

COVID-19 Science Fund

In response to worldwide disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Geographic Society is providing funding for projects focused on how humanity and the natural world have reacted to and are living through the unparalleled circumstances created by COVID-19 in order to better understand how this pandemic—or the threat of another—will shape our world for years to come. Proposed projects should seek to better understand and/or provide solutions to the situations created or magnified by the pandemic, thereby helping us to understand and address the challenges and changes of living in a COVID-19 world.

This fund invites research, conservation, and technology projects on the following two (2) topics; below are examples of the types of questions and projects that the Society would like to receive:

Community-based and inclusive conservation:

How have community and grassroots organizations been impacted by COVID-19?
How have organizations continued their conservation activities during the pandemic? What types of new models or innovative approaches to conservation are being tried?
How are local communities that have depended on external visitors or revenues for their livelihoods and other conservation activities, adapting to the new context?
With people unable to afford to stay in cities, how are rural communities shaped and changed by people returning?
Given the ongoing economic crises due to COVID-19, what lessons can be applied post pandemic to support sustainable and just economic recovery in areas with high biodiversity and/or cultural heritage resources?

Impacts of tourism changes on cultural heritage sites and wildlife:

How have changes in global and/or domestic tourism affected wildlife, protected area management, cultural heritage site conservation, and the livelihoods and well-being of nearby communities?
What lessons can be applied for when/if tourism returns?
How has tourism been re-invented during the pandemic? What types of new models or innovative approaches to tourism are being tried?
Some natural and cultural heritage areas may have seen increased domestic and local tourism as a result of the pandemic - what are the impacts, if any?

Only applications that propose activity in the applicant’s country of residence will be considered.

Budgets: Funding requests of up to $50,000 will be accepted for review. For this fund, the National Geographic Society prioritizes funding for costs directly required to complete the proposed project, such as travel, lodging, food (including for team members), as well as fieldwork and lab-based work (including equipment and supplies). Applicants may also request money to cover safety-related costs, such as for COVID-19 tests, buying masks for their team, cleaning supplies, medical insurance, travel insurance, vaccinations, medication, etc. Applicants may request money for compensation, indirect costs and dependent care. All budget line items must include written justification in the provided template. Applications will be reviewed based on the budget request.

Safety: Proposed activities must prioritize your health, the health of your team, and the health of communities in which you work, and the application should outline the specific steps that will be taken to ensure safety throughout the project duration. Applicants should check with local health and safety guidelines before embarking on any travel to ensure that they are in adherence with relevant laws and policy. Proposed work that may put the applicant, collaborators, and/or local communities at risk will be declined. Applicants should demonstrate how their proposed project takes into account the needs, safety, and preferences of communities local to the project site. Applications will be reviewed based on plans for safety and feasibility.

All application materials must be in English, and applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time they submit an application.