Researchers, conservationists and explorers can apply grants.
National Geographic's mission goes beyond producing a magazine and television documentaries. The organization awards thousands of dollars to researchers, conservationists and explorers for projects in geography, anthropology and other scientific fields that National Geographic explores. The National Geographic Society's grants have funded projects on all continents, from protecting lions from poachers in Africa to collecting data on California's redwood forests. The application process for most grants can take as long as 10 months, and most programs look for applicants with advanced degrees or extensive research or conservation experience.
Committee for Research and Exploration
The National Geographic Society's Committee for Research and Exploration awards grants, typically ranging between $15,000 and $20,000, to help researchers finance projects involving environmental or ecological issues. Eligible projects can involve the fields of geography, geology, anthropology, archaeology, astronomy, biology, botany, paleontology, oceanography and zoology. The CRE looks for applicants with advanced degrees in the fields their projects address.
Conservation Trust
The society in 2001 awarded its first Conservation Trust grant to a botanist for forest canopy research and outreach. Other recipient projects have involved preserving one of the world's largest species of catfish and preventing conflicts between Zimbabwean farmers and elephants. The grants are usually for $15,000 to $20,000. Recipients do not need to have advanced degrees, but they need experience in conservation or research in their field.
Expeditions Council
The National Geographic Expeditions Council, which is made up of editorial representatives, awards between $5,000 and $35,000 for the direct expenses of expeditions. The program is "editorially driven," meaning it looks for projects that can produce compelling stories for National Geographic's publications and programming. The grant program encourages international applicants, but the applications must be in English. The grants do not require recipients to have advanced degrees, but they should have extensive experience in their fields. Money is to be used for costs such as transportation or supplies.
Young Explorers
Budding researchers, conservationists or explorers can receive $2,000 to $5,000 for projects related to those areas from the Young Explorers program. Recipients must be between 18 and 25 and have experience in the fields they wish to pursue projects in. The projects must be consistent with goals and credentials set by the Committee for Research and Exploration, Conservation Trust or Expedition Council's grant programs.
Waitt Program
Unlike most of the National Geographic Society's grants, which require lengthy application processes and extensive education, the National Geographic Society/Waitt Grants program awards research funding relatively quickly and to people with lower levels of education. The application and review process typically takes about 10 weeks. The program does not require applicants to have PhDs or other advanced degrees, but it does seek candidates with extensive experience in their fields. Grants usually are $5,000 to $15,000.
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