Stories, and the people who tell them, matter more than ever. At a time when we’re flooded by noise and competing causes, authentic storytelling is critical to cutting through the clutter and evoking emotion in a way that inspires people to respond and act. National Geographic and The Climate Pledge seek to harness the power of storytelling to illuminate climate resilience and solutions around the world.

When we talk about climate action, we often talk in numbers—degrees of warming, metric tons of carbon, miles of coastline lost. But the most urgent call to act doesn’t come from charts or models—it comes from human stories. From communities already navigating climate upheaval. From people reimagining resilience as climate change unfolds at their doorstep. From innovators forging new paths in a warming world. In partnership with The Climate Pledge, the National Geographic Society seeks stories ranging from scientific breakthroughs to community resilience. All proposals must be grounded in solutions. Because to change the future, we must first change the stories we tell about it.

The National Geographic Society and The Climate Pledge will support a global community of Explorers producing projects focused on climate resilience and solutions—building a powerful storytelling legacy to inspire business leaders and policymakers to act. This opportunity is open to both current Explorers and new applicants.

Potential story themes include, but are not limited to:

Climate & Energy Transition
Carbon-free energy; Decarbonization

Nature & Land Systems
Water stewardship; Nature-based solutions (biodiversity, restoration, adaptation); Regenerative agriculture; Food systems

Built & Human Systems
Built environment; Climate migration; Public health; Social adaptation

Adaptation in Extreme Weather
Hurricanes, heat waves, wildfires, and floods

Priority will be given to storytellers with lived experience in the communities they cover, or with strong collaborative ties to local organizations and stakeholders. Applicants should demonstrate a track record of successful media projects and must submit a portfolio (such as a website) with their application.

Applicants may request up to $100,000. Those with five years or less of experience are encouraged to request up to $20,000. Budgets should be realistic and clearly justified, covering costs directly related to the project. Selected applicants may use funds over a two-year period and must include a plan for evaluating the impact of their work.

First-time grant recipients will join the Explorer Community and gain access to future funding opportunities, training, software tools, and additional resources.

Only applications submitted through the online portal will be accepted—do not email or mail submissions. All applications must be written in English, although it does not need to be your first language. The project leader must write the application and can submit only one proposal.