National Geographic Society Grants - Ocean Exploration & Discovery
Enriched International · Found: 2026-03-10 22:06
Level I grants up to USD 20,000 for early career scientists in marine sciences, in partnership with Schmidt Ocean Institute. Includes berth space on RV Falkor (too). Also Level 2 grants for established researchers. Open to applicants worldwide.
Source: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/society/grants-and-investments/
Funding Details
- Funder
- National Geographic Society
- Funding Goal
- Support individuals establishing themselves in exploration, science, storytelling, and conservation related to oceans, land, wildlife, human histories, and planetary health
- Funding Amount
- Level I grants up to USD $20,000; Level II grants up to $100,000 (up to 20.000 €)
- Deadline
- 2026-04-12 (periodic)
- How to Apply
- Submit online application via nationalgeographic.org/society/grants-and-investments/. Three annual deadlines in 2026: April 12, August, and October.
- Target Region
- Global — all topics including ocean, land, wildlife, human histories, planetary health, and space
- Contact
- funding@ngs.org | nationalgeographic.org/society/grants-and-investments/
- Last Checked
- 2026-03-14 20:59
Application Checklist
Eligibility
Required Documents
Constraints
Summary
The National Geographic Society has awarded over 15,000 grants since 1888 to individuals undertaking ambitious work in exploration, science, storytelling, education, and conservation. The grants programme funds people, not institutions — applicants are individuals referred to as National Geographic Explorers. Level I grants provide up to $20,000 for individuals establishing themselves in their field. Level II grants of up to $100,000 are for more experienced practitioners. Applications are reviewed three times annually, with 2026 deadlines in April, August, and October. The Ocean focus area explicitly supports exploration, understanding, and conservation of marine and coastal systems across oceanography, marine ecology, climate science, ocean exploration technology, and community-based conservation. Environmental and ocean topics are strongly represented in the grant portfolio. Eligibility is primarily individual-based: applicants must be over 18, must not already be National Geographic Explorers, and must include a local collaborator if working outside their home country. This is not an institutional grant programme; it funds fieldwork, research, and storytelling by individuals. The programme accepts applications three times per year, making it a recurring opportunity to monitor. Previous funded areas include plastic pollution documentation and coastal community conservation in developing countries.
Historical Context
Annual cycle with three deadlines per year. Level I (up to $20K) and Level II (up to $100K) tracks. Previous applicants who became Explorers cannot re-apply to Level I. High visibility brand association for selected Explorers.
Why it was added
Major ocean exploration and marine education funder accessible to international researchers and NGOs
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