Dear Water ChangeMaker,
Recognizing various needs that might exist within our community, we would like to share with you an exciting opportunity to develop a new project or to advance your existing work. The National Geographic Society has announced a call for grant proposal submissions in conservation, education, research and technology, offering a chance to become a part of their community. The grants are divided in two Levels, depending on your prior engagements with the National Geographic. Please find more information below and via the link: Grants and Investments - National Geographic Society. Kindly note that Freshwater is a separate category this year, seeking innovative photography, short film, writing, data visualization and other storytelling proposals to help water users understand the issues around global water sustainability.
Extract from the National Geographic call for proposals:
BECOME AN EXPLORER
Grant proposal submissions are due by 11:59pm EDT on October 12, 2022. Storytelling applicants will be notified of funding decisions at the beginning of March 2023. Applicants to Conservation, Education, Research, and Technology will receive funding decisions by the end of March 2023. Those who applied by the April 2022 deadline will be notified in August 2022 (Storytelling applicants) or September 2022 (Conservation, Education, Research, and Technology applicants).
We offer grant opportunities at various entry points to provide a dynamic pathway to join our community and engage with us.
Whether you are an aspiring Explorer or already a luminary in the field, each opportunity has unique criteria and benefits to ensure that our Explorers receive support and funding aligned to their specific needs and goals. Each year, a small number of grants are awarded to individuals who are just beginning their National Geographic journey, as well as those who are working on more advanced projects.
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 handicap.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: FRESHWATER
Freshwater is vital for life on Earth, for people, species and places across the natural world. Yet, in many places around the globe, our management of freshwater resources is becoming unsustainable. Understanding the interconnectedness and complexity of local and regional freshwater issues is critical to living sustainably on Earth and is an integral part of the National Geographic Society’s mission to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world.
National Geographic Society seeks innovative photography, short film, writing, data visualization and other storytelling proposals to help water users understand the issues around global water sustainability. This work will be supported by data, science and cartography provided by the National Geographic-supported World Water Map developed by Utrecht University.
We seek projects that center around the following themes related to water:
Projects that benefit local audiences or incorporate local voices are strongly encouraged. Water issues span nearly every aspect of the human and natural world; we’re seeking projects with a scientific underpinning and will be looking for these to be well-researched and grounded by science. Storytellers may choose to have a scientist on their team as an advisor to their work. Some journalists feel less comfortable or that they lack the right credentials or education to cover science stories. But journalists and storytellers who have less experience in scientific research may find that they have actually covered issues of social science extensively. If your work is related to inequities around access to resources like freshwater, you’ve covered a social-science story. We seek applications that show the spirit of scientific inquiry.
Applicants may request up to $20,000. Budgets of successful proposals will include reasonable, well justified costs directly required to complete the project. Successful applicants may use awarded funds over the course of one year. Some projects may be selected for additional funds after proof of concept is demonstrated. All applications should explicitly state the plan for evaluating the impact of the proposed work. Applicants may use a portion of the budget for HEFAT or other security training, if applicable.
Best regards,
Water ChangeMaker Awards Team