Photography Contest

National Geographic Explorers Grants

National Geographic Explorers Grants

Deadline |

CLOSED

Theme |

Several categories

Territory |

Worldwide

Eligibility |

18+

Entry Fees |

FREE

Prizes |

Cash Prize
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.

Featured Photo Contest

AAP Magazine #50 / SHAPES

$1,000 cash prizes | Winning image(s) published in AAP Magazine #50 | Extensive press coverage and global recognition

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 07/14/25
Production of a limited edition photobook (100–200 pages), designed by Gomma’s in-house team
ENDS 07/15/25
200 shortlisted portraits taken in the past year will be published in the dedicated Portrait of Britain book
ENDS 07/15/25
Praxis Gallery seeks the submission of photographic art that demonstrates the fundamental qualities that make motion & blur a compelling element of contemporary photography.
ENDS 07/15/25
The next edition of the Circulation(s) festival will take place from March 21 to May 17 2026 at the CENTQUATRE-PARIS.
ENDS 07/15/25
Wherever you are in the world, we invite you to send us your most beautiful Colors or Black & White street photos.
ENDS 07/22/25
Be Featured in our July 2025 Online Juried Solo Exhibition! Juror: Ann Jastrab, Executive Director, Center for Photographic Art
ENDS 07/27/25
The Head On Photo Awards 2025 winners share an incredible prize pool in excess of $75,000, including $15,000 in cash. All finalists have their work exhibited in print and online in Head On Photo Festival 2025!
ENDS 07/29/25
Our 50th printed issue of AAP Magazine will feature the best projects showcasing the theme "Shapes".
ENDS 07/31/25
If you're a passionate amateur or professional photographer, we invite you to share your photographic project with us.
ENDS 08/01/25
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 08/05/25
The 2025 Global Contest promotes climate justice. We believe climate change is a human rights issue, so we are looking for images that show people impacted by the escalating climate crisis.
ENDS 08/15/25
BUDAPEST INTERNATIONAL FOTO AWARDS is an international platform for photographers from all levels and genres to share their best images with the creative community in Hungary and Eastern Europe.
ENDS 09/01/25
The Ian Parry Scholarship is divided into two categories: The Sunday Times Award for Achievement and The Canon Award for Potential.
ENDS 09/01/25
The winner receives a €25,000 cash award to develop the project within ten months
ENDS 09/05/25
The Paris Photo–Aperture Foundation PhotoBook Awards celebrate the photobook's contribution to the evolving narrative of photography
ENDS 09/15/25
We are excited to offer one (1) $20,000 grant and six (6) $5,000 grants to help bring these vital stories to life.
ENDS 10/01/25
The Center for Photographic Art (CPA) is excited to announce the 2025 International Juried Exhibition with $5,000 in awards!
ENDS 01/06/26
First place receives Sony Digital Imaging equipment and inclusion in the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition and book
ENDS 01/06/26
Dedicated to young photographers under 19 years-old - first prize is top Sony digital imaging equipment plus benefit from global exposure
ENDS 01/06/26
Rewarding the best single images! Enter for free and you could win $5,000, top Sony digital imaging equipment plus more!
ENDS 01/13/26
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 02/15/26
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.