Who Should Apply?
This opportunity is open to individuals aged 18 and above from any country who:
- Have experience in leading agricultural projects.
- Are working directly with farmers or farming communities.
- Are focused on regenerative or climate-smart agriculture practices.
Note: Organisations and teams are not eligible. Applications must be led by individuals.
Project Focus and Eligibility Criteria
Eligible Projects Must:
- Be field-based (not laboratory or theoretical research).
- Be co-designed with farmers.
- Involve food crops only (e.g. rice, maize, wheat, soy, cocoa, potatoes, oilseeds, sugar beets, etc.).
- Clearly demonstrate measurable outcomes in at least two of the following areas:
- Soil health
- Climate adaptation and/or mitigation
- Watershed health
- Biodiversity (e.g. pollinators, microbial soil life, forest restoration)
- Improved farmer livelihoods and equitable access
Not Eligible:
- Projects involving livestock or non-food crops.
- Projects focused on land conversion or infrastructure development.
- Basic research or technology development not yet tested on farms.
- Proposals exceeding the budget or lacking confirmed co-funding (if applicable).
- Applications led by current National Geographic staff.
Grant Benefits
Successful applicants will receive more than just funding. Benefits include:
- Grant of up to $150,000 for up to two years.
- Designation as a National Geographic Explorer.
- Participation in a multi-day convening in 2026 at National Geographic’s Base Camp in Washington, DC.
- Opportunity to attend an exclusive partner event in Europe (January 2026).
- Access to mentorship, capacity building, training, and media features across National Geographic’s platforms.
