[National Geographic Society](https://www.nationalgeographic.org)

November 19, 2025 (11:59 PM EST)

Level I: up to $20,000 (1 year) | Level II: up to $100,000 (2 years)

Supports innovative education projects or research empowering learners of any age to take action for a healthier planet and society.

Projects must align with Education as primary focus and at least one of six NGS focus areas.

--- ## Description This opportunity from the National Geographic Society seeks bold, innovative, and transformative education projects or research that cultivate the knowledge, attitudes, and skills learners of any age need to take action for a healthier planet and society. The program encourages interdisciplinary approaches and supports both pilot projects and research measuring the effectiveness of educational innovations. Projects should spark curiosity, inspire care for the world, and enable learners to develop behaviors and attitudes that benefit people and nature. Proposals are welcome from a wide range of educational settings, including formal, informal, and community learning, and should aim to scale effective solutions or pilot new ideas that address complex, interconnected environmental and societal challenges. All topics related to National Geographic’s six focus areas—Ocean, Land, Wildlife, Human Histories & Cultures, Planetary Health, and Space—are encouraged and will be considered. --- ## Due Dates - Application deadline: **November 19, 2025 (11:59 PM EST)** - Notification of decision: by May 30, 2026 Webinars for applicants: - October 9, 2025, 8:00 AM EDT (12:00 UTC) - October 10, 2025, 3:00 PM EDT (19:00 UTC) --- ## Funding Amount - **Level I Grants:** Up to $20,000 USD; project must be completed within 1 year of funding. - **Level II Grants:** Up to $100,000 USD (average awards $50,000–$65,000); project must be completed within 2 years of funding. Applicants who are current National Geographic Explorers must apply for Level II funding. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be **18 years or older**. - Projects must: - Align with Education as the primary focus. - Address at least one of National Geographic’s six focus areas: Ocean, Land, Wildlife, Human Histories & Cultures, Planetary Health, or Space. - Applicants must not be current National Geographic staff members. - The lead applicant must have demonstrated experience using education as a strategy for change and implementing education programs (formal or informal). - Only one proposal per applicant as project leader at a time. - Previous NGS grantees must submit final reports before applying for a new project. - Academic degrees/credentials are NOT required. --- ## Application Process 1. **Prepare your proposal**: - Clearly describe the future you are planning toward, the community of learners, the learning solution, and anticipated outcomes. - Highlight interdisciplinary and inclusive methodologies. - Ensure your project is innovative and not a straightforward continuation of existing work. 2. **Submit your application**: - Start a new application or continue an existing one via the [National Geographic Society grants portal](https://funding.nationalgeographic.org/s/fundingopportunity/119Hr0000008it5IAA/the-future-of-learning-the-future-of-our-planet). - Deadline: November 19, 2025 (11:59 PM EST). - Application materials must be sufficiently detailed to assess candidate’s expertise and the project idea. 3. **Review process**: - Proposals are evaluated by experts across disciplines. - Notification of decision by May 30, 2026. 4. **Resources**: - [FAQs and application template](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wPfth-50dd-sqS-uB3dRT15aQGvz4MFtzh9H5au8-k4/edit?tab=t.0) - [Budget guidelines for Level I and II grants](https://natgeo.my.salesforce.com/sfc/p/36000000paDj/a/3p000000SDWT/dn6DP5PF4EyHpDjJNp0HV3IMyG6zY3S07QKdRVJKtAs) --- ## Additional Information - Projects must identify a group of learners, specify learning activities, and define learning outcomes. - Projects focused solely on awareness-raising, resource creation (e.g., books, podcasts) without a learning component, or technical training without connection to planetary action are **not competitive**. - Inclusive methodologies and community engagement are strongly encouraged. - Project start dates should be at least six months after the submission deadline. - Compliance with all relevant laws, including U.S. export controls and OFAC sanctions, is required. --- ## External Links - [Program RFP and full details](https://www.nationalgeographic.org/society/grants-and-investments/rfp-future-of-learning/) - [Application portal](https://funding.nationalgeographic.org/s/fundingopportunity/119Hr0000008it5IAA/the-future-of-learning-the-future-of-our-planet) - [Funding FAQs and template](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wPfth-50dd-sqS-uB3dRT15aQGvz4MFtzh9H5au8-k4/edit?tab=t.0) - [Budget Guidelines](https://natgeo.my.salesforce.com/sfc/p/36000000paDj/a/3p000000SDWT/dn6DP5PF4EyHpDjJNp0HV3IMyG6zY3S07QKdRVJKtAs) - [National Geographic Society funding opportunities overview](https://www.nationalgeographic.org/funding-opportunities/) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------| | General inquiries | [funding@ngs.org](mailto:funding@ngs.org) | | Technical support | [Support portal](https://support.nationalgeographic.org/s/article/I-cant-sign-in-to-my-account) | | Funder homepage | [National Geographic Society](https://www.nationalgeographic.org) | ---

The Future of Learning, The Future of our Planet

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