Photography Contest
National Geographic Explorers Grants
Deadline |
CLOSEDTheme |
Several categoriesTerritory |
WorldwideEligibility |
18+Entry Fees |
FREEPrizes |
Cash PrizeHost |
National Geographic
The recipients of these grants, who we call National Geographic Explorers, are a diverse community of changemakers from around the world working to support our mission to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world.
Our Explorers are people of all walks of life from all over the world. They don’t just venture to the tops of mountains or the bottom of the ocean. They’re also in the lab diving deep into the microscopic world, in their local communities capturing the stories of a fishing village, or in the classroom sharing their discoveries with the next generation.
We fund individuals working on projects in science, conservation, storytelling, education, and technology that align with one or more of our focus areas.
And we don’t just support their incredible work. We actively seek to help them network, connect, and learn with National Geographic and each other, empower them with cutting-edge tools, technology, and training, and further their impact and recognition through our storytelling.
The National Geographic Society warmly welcomes and encourages applicants from historically and currently underrepresented and underserved populations to apply. National Geographic is committed to funding a diverse and globally representative cohort of Explorers. The National Geographic Society does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, or disability.
Who should apply
Level I Grants are designed for individuals who may be earlier in their career, those looking to establish themselves better in their field, those seeking mentorship from others in their field and beyond, or those who want to grow their network and enhance their impact by joining a global community of National Geographic Explorers. This opportunity is best suited for individuals who have the potential and desire to make significant positive contributions to their field by leveraging the funding, capacity, and additional support provided by the National Geographic Society and connections to other Explorers. These grants are highly competitive and priority will be given to applicants who thoughtfully demonstrate how joining the Explorer Community will help to advance their career.
Individuals who are already National Geographic Explorers (i.e., those who have already received a grant from the National Geographic Society) are NOT eligible to apply for Level I Grants. Level I Grants are only available to individuals who are entirely new to the National Geographic Society network, as well as individuals already in the network who are not yet Explorers, including team members on previous grants, National Geographic Young Explorers awarded in 2019 or later, recipients of discretionary funding opportunities such as the COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Journalists and the COVID-19 Remote Learning Emergency Fund, and recipients of grants from the China Air & Water Fund.
Funding requests at this level can be up to USD $20,000. Projects can be up to one year in length, although projects with “Technology” as the primary focus can be up to two years.
Pre-applications
The National Geographic Society is accepting pre-applications for Level I Grants.
To ensure that invited applicants are prepared to submit competitive full applications, we recommend that applicants already have an understanding of — or are prepared to assemble — the methods, dissemination strategies, and proposed outputs of the full project (as relevant and appropriate). We also recommend that applicants have identified local collaborators and have considered access to facilities and equipment prior to submitting the pre-application. You may submit a proposal as the project leader for only one project at a time.
Benefits
Level I Grants receive funding up to USD $20,000 and offer unique opportunities for training, networking, coaching, mentorship, and more from fellow National Geographic Explorers, experts, staff, partners, and forums. We are looking for individuals who are interested in becoming an active part of the Explorer Community.
We only accept applications that are submitted through our online portal. Please do not mail or email your application.
Our Explorers are people of all walks of life from all over the world. They don’t just venture to the tops of mountains or the bottom of the ocean. They’re also in the lab diving deep into the microscopic world, in their local communities capturing the stories of a fishing village, or in the classroom sharing their discoveries with the next generation.
We fund individuals working on projects in science, conservation, storytelling, education, and technology that align with one or more of our focus areas.
And we don’t just support their incredible work. We actively seek to help them network, connect, and learn with National Geographic and each other, empower them with cutting-edge tools, technology, and training, and further their impact and recognition through our storytelling.
The National Geographic Society warmly welcomes and encourages applicants from historically and currently underrepresented and underserved populations to apply. National Geographic is committed to funding a diverse and globally representative cohort of Explorers. The National Geographic Society does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, or disability.
Who should apply
Level I Grants are designed for individuals who may be earlier in their career, those looking to establish themselves better in their field, those seeking mentorship from others in their field and beyond, or those who want to grow their network and enhance their impact by joining a global community of National Geographic Explorers. This opportunity is best suited for individuals who have the potential and desire to make significant positive contributions to their field by leveraging the funding, capacity, and additional support provided by the National Geographic Society and connections to other Explorers. These grants are highly competitive and priority will be given to applicants who thoughtfully demonstrate how joining the Explorer Community will help to advance their career.
Individuals who are already National Geographic Explorers (i.e., those who have already received a grant from the National Geographic Society) are NOT eligible to apply for Level I Grants. Level I Grants are only available to individuals who are entirely new to the National Geographic Society network, as well as individuals already in the network who are not yet Explorers, including team members on previous grants, National Geographic Young Explorers awarded in 2019 or later, recipients of discretionary funding opportunities such as the COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Journalists and the COVID-19 Remote Learning Emergency Fund, and recipients of grants from the China Air & Water Fund.
Funding requests at this level can be up to USD $20,000. Projects can be up to one year in length, although projects with “Technology” as the primary focus can be up to two years.
Pre-applications
The National Geographic Society is accepting pre-applications for Level I Grants.
To ensure that invited applicants are prepared to submit competitive full applications, we recommend that applicants already have an understanding of — or are prepared to assemble — the methods, dissemination strategies, and proposed outputs of the full project (as relevant and appropriate). We also recommend that applicants have identified local collaborators and have considered access to facilities and equipment prior to submitting the pre-application. You may submit a proposal as the project leader for only one project at a time.
Benefits
Level I Grants receive funding up to USD $20,000 and offer unique opportunities for training, networking, coaching, mentorship, and more from fellow National Geographic Explorers, experts, staff, partners, and forums. We are looking for individuals who are interested in becoming an active part of the Explorer Community.
We only accept applications that are submitted through our online portal. Please do not mail or email your application.
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© Eric Seidner
Best Photography Contests in 2024
Each year, there are hundreds of photography competitions all over the world, so we've decided to select for you the best of the best! Our selection of the best photo contests in 2024 is thoroughly curated to help you, whether you are a professional photographer or an amateur, to help find your next creative breakthrough. These all-star competitions offer the greatest opportunities for international exposure and/or incredible financial benefits. Some of them are closing soon, so get your photo submissions in!
ENDS 10/10/24
€10,000 in cash plus a solo show at PhMuseum Lab, screenings at Photo Vogue Festival, and more
ENDS 10/10/24
Guest Room aims to spark collaboration.
ENDS 10/11/24
Our 43rd printed issue of AAP Magazine will feature the best projects showcasing the theme "Colors".
ENDS 10/11/24
The W. Eugene Smith Grant for Student Photographers is designed to encourage and support students
ENDS 10/13/24
Become the Photographer of the Week and win $100 in cash + Exposure on the Home Page & Social Media
ENDS 10/13/24
Art is born out of passion. Fine Art photography is a perfect instrument, which allows a person to communicate with the world and share their vision. It results from the author's deep sensitivity, a need to express feelings through image.
ENDS 10/15/24
This program is a juried competition open to a diversity of book submissions- from traditionally published to prototypes, hand-made books to zines
ENDS 10/22/24
Be Featured in our Novemberr 2024 Online Juried Solo Exhibition!
ENDS 10/28/24
TIFA connects photographers from around the world with the creative community in Tokyo, Japan, providing them with an excellent platform to present their work to a new market.
ENDS 10/31/24
If you're a passionate amateur or professional photographer, we invite you to share your photographic project with us.
ENDS 11/05/24
Four winners across US, UK, Mexico, and Canada will receive $10,000 and a Leica SL3 set
ENDS 11/29/24
Provides a platform for photography students worldwide - first prize is top Sony digital imaging equipment plus benefit from global exposure
ENDS 12/10/24
We’re excited to announce the fifth edition of the Female in Focus award, in partnership with Nikon, a global leader in imaging technology.
ENDS 01/03/25
Dedicated to young photographers under 19 years-old - first prize is top Sony digital imaging equipment plus benefit from global exposure
ENDS 01/03/25
Rewarding the best single images! Enter for free and you could win $5,000, top Sony digital imaging equipment plus more!
ENDS 01/10/25
Rewarding the best photo series worldwide! Enter for free and you could win $25,000, a range of Sony digital imaging equipment plus more!
ENDS 01/19/25
MonoVisions Photography Awards are an international open call for photographers using black and white medium to express their visual language.
ENDS 01/31/25
The biennial Belfast Photo Festival provided the perfect platform for gaining exposure to an international audience, with previous editions having welcome over 100,000 visitors from all over the world