The National Geographic Society funds storytellers, researchers, educators, and conservationists whose projects illuminate and protect the wonder of the world. The Society has moved from an open-call model to targeted Requests for Proposals; the currently live global call is "The Human Thread" (supported by Lilly Endowment Inc.), seeking storytelling projects that illuminate the vast spectrum of the human experience. Grantees join the National Geographic Explorer community — a global network of changemakers from 16,000+ grants awarded since 1888.
Why it is notable: most applicants still expect the old rolling Level I/II open call — it no longer exists; funding now flows only through time-bound RFPs, and this is the one global RFP currently open with a post-November deadline.
Funding at a glance
What it covers
Project costs as budgeted and approved in the RFP application (fieldwork, travel, production, equipment, and other direct project expenses, as justified in the budget).
Membership of the National Geographic Explorer community: networking, training, tools/technology access, and storytelling amplification through National Geographic channels.
Note: funds are awarded for the project, not as a personal stipend or salary; budgets must show reasonable, well-justified costs directly required to complete the project.
Eligibility criteria
Qualification Required
No degree requiredfor Storytelling grants
This grant is offered for storytelling projects (photography, film/video, written word, mapmaking, data visualization, spoken word, and other media) — not for degree study.
Who can apply
All nationalities — Explorers are "people of all walks of life from all over the world"; no citizenship or residency restriction published.
Experience
A record of successful media projects is expected — applicants must submit a portfolio of prior work as part of the application. Level I is aimed at storytellers establishing themselves; Level II at more established storytellers.
Language Certificate
No language certificate required — but applications must be completed in English.
Other Certificates
Portfolio of prior media work (required); no degree certificates required.
Age Limit
18+ at the time of application (explicit on the official page). No upper age limit.
Check your eligibility
Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
All nationalities eligible; no country is excluded on the official general-eligibility page (note: the Society complies with U.S. OFAC sanctions — work in…
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Age
18 or older at the time of application (official general eligibility).
02
Language
application must be completed in English; no English test certificate required.
03
Portfolio
a record of successful media projects, submitted as a portfolio with the application (explicit for storytelling RFPs).
04
Local collaboration
projects outside your home country/community must include at least one significantly involved local collaborator.
05
One proposal at a time
you may lead only one active proposal; prior NGS grants must have final reports submitted.
06
Project timing
project start dates should be a minimum of six months after the submission deadline.
03Portfolio of prior media projects (website or uploads).
04Collaborator details (including local collaborator where required).
05Final reports/media for any previous NGS grants you led (must be submitted before you can lead a new proposal).
Application fee
No fee — completely free.
Visa, kept concise: Study visa type for this destination: Not a study program — no student visa.
Application Procedure
10 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
Read the active RFP posting on the
National Geographic grants page and the full guidelines inside the Funding Portal — each RFP has unique scope, criteria, and budget parameters.
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02
Create an account on the National Geographic
Society Funding Portal (new applicants must register; returning applicants log in).
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03
Start the specific RFP application (The Human
Thread) from inside the portal — general project applications sent by email or mail are NOT accepted.
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06
Submit the complete application through the portal
before the RFP deadline.
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05
If your project takes place outside your
home country or community, add at least one local collaborator significantly involved in the project.
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04
Complete the project description
budget, and collaborator information; select "Storytelling" as the primary discipline and the RFP's focus area; upload your portfolio of prior media work.
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07
Online RFP application (project description
methodology, timeline).
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08
Detailed project budget with justification.
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09
Portfolio of prior media projects (website or
uploads).
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10
Collaborator details (including local collaborator where required).
Application milestones
1 Dec 2026
Application deadline
2026
Intake year
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official National Geographic Society platform.
Do I need to already be a National Geographic Explorer to apply? A: No — each RFP is open to both existing Explorers and individuals not yet part of the community.Is there an age minimum? A: Yes — you must be 18 or older to apply for a National Geographic Society grant.Can I submit more than one proposal? A: You may be project leader on only one project at a time.I previously received an NGS grant. Can I apply again? A: Yes, but you must first submit the final report and media from any previous NGS grants for which you were the leader.When should my project start? A: Project start dates should be a minimum of six months after the submission deadline, so awarded funds arrive in time.Who should write the application? A: The individual responsible for carrying out the project should write the application and be listed as project leader.Can I email my application? A: No — all applications must be submitted through the Funding Portal to a specific funding opportunity; general applications and email/mail submissions are not accepted.Does my project need a local partner? A: If you work outside your home country or community, you must include at least one local collaborator significantly involved in the project.
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United States · National Geographic Society