programs and research to benefit the planet – Nov 19

Posted by National Geographic Society on October 14, 2025

National Geographic Society invites applications for programs and research to benefit the planet

The National Geographic Society (NGS) has issued a request for proposals for projects to help learners develop capacities to learn about, care for, and take action to protect our world.

Through the RFP, NGS aims to support projects or research that enacts the future today, and aims to support projects that cultivate in learners of any age the knowledge, attitudes, and skills needed to take action in ways that benefit the planet and its people. Projects will be supported that advance knowledge about how to spark curiosity and inspire learners of all ages to care for and protect our world; pilot new, or scale proven, educational solutions; enable learners to acquire new knowledge, skills, behaviors, and attitudes that help them care for and protect our world; and use interdisciplinary approaches. Proposals may contain one or both elements of the following:

Project: A pilot of a new learning solution, or scaling of a learning solution with some evidence of effectiveness, to a new geography or population of learners.

Research: Measurement of the effectiveness of educational innovations that develop learners of all ages’ skills, attitudes, and knowledge needed to design a future for our planet that benefits people and nature.

Competitive proposals should describe the future that you are planning toward; educational projects or research that leverage novel approaches, with potential for scale and impact, and ideas that span disciplinary, political, geographic, or cultural boundaries; the community of learners you intend to reach; the learning solution intended to develop capabilities in learners; the skills, attitudes, and knowledge your project intends to cultivate in learners in order to design a future for our planet that leads to healthier outcomes for people and nature to live and thrive; and anticipated outcomes including the intended impact(s) on the learners in addition to any impact(s) on the environment, planet, or people.

Projects do not need to use technology in order to be competitive, but may use technology as a tool to achieve learning goals. All topics related to NGS focus areas—ocean, land, wildlife, human histories and cultures, planetary health, and space—encouraged and will be considered.

Funding may be awarded in either a Level I or Level II grant. Level I grants are designed for individuals who may be earlier in their career, those looking to establish themselves better in their field, or those who want to grow their network and enhance their impact by joining a global community of National Geographic Explorers. Level I project budgets may not exceed $20,000. Level II grants are designed for individuals who are more established in their field, have previously received a grant from the NGS, or are seeking a higher level of funding. Level II project budgets are on average $50,000 to $65,000 and may not exceed $100,000.

The opportunity is open to applicants over the age of 18. The lead applicant must show evidence of experience using education as part of a deliberate strategy to achieve goals, and experience implementing education programs for learners of any age (note: this may be in a classroom setting or any other formal or informal place of learning). Academic degrees and/or credentials are not required.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the National Geographic Society website.

Deadline: November 19, 2025