Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Award Overview

The National Geographic Society (NGS) is pleased to announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) for academic researchers and graduate students investigating topics related to geography education in select states and locations. Awards of up to $10,000 (for researchers) and $5,000 (for graduate students) are available to support research projects.

At NGS we spark curiosity, empower exploration, and inspire change. We fund inspiring changemakers around the world who use the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. 

All research proposals should broadly align with at least one of the Society’s six focus areas (Ocean, Land, Wildlife, Human Histories and Cultures, Space and Planetary Health) as well as with the NGS mission. We are open to providing support for research projects that may use  interdisciplinary approaches or those informed by a single or multiple academic disciplines, evaluate a variety of educational impacts, and engage learners of any age, in any educational setting - including informal, community education, or formal classroom settings. The project must support geography education in the applicant’s selected state or location.

We welcome submissions from researchers across disciplines but successful proposals must include research related to educational approaches or processes including but not limited to specific learning activities, learning outcomes, or educational tools that advance knowledge. Such research could engage but is not limited to: environmental, geographic or conservation education; place-based learning including understanding connections and communities; technology and tools (in particular geospatial tools like MapMaker); immersive or experiential education; affective learning; learning models such as the Explorer Mindset Learning Framework, and beyond. Research that illuminates barriers and/or advances access for those farthest from opportunity is encouraged. 

Research proposals should generate new knowledge, and can either be new or scaled up versions of existing successful projects (e.g. evaluating a different group of learners or geographic area). 

Eligibility

Researchers from public and independent institutions of higher education in the states and locations named below are eligible to apply. Applicants from historically and currently underrepresented and underserved populations are encouraged to apply. The award can support a broad range of research audiences including all graduate students (including thesis or dissertation support), and faculty of all ranks.

Eligible Locations

  • Arizona

  • Indiana

  • Iowa

  • Minnesota 

  • Mississippi

  • Ohio 

  • Utah

  • Washington, D.C.

Potential Research Outputs

Proposals should anticipate a specific research deliverable. These deliverables could include a range of research results including but not limited to white papers, empirical research, literature reviews, dissertations, and theses. Please note that this particular opportunity is focused on research outputs. The development of instructional materials, public awareness education materials, and/or curriculum development is not in scope for this particular opportunity. 

Restrictions

  • Funds must be used to support geographic education in your selected state or location. Proposals should articulate impacts on learners and/or educators. 

  • The award is intended for non-commercial research

  • Institutional overhead/indirect costs not allowed

  • Funds must be distributed in 2026 and should be used in the 2026-2027 academic year

  • A final research product is required and should be produced by August 2027. There may also be opportunities to present research to NGS staff.

Instructions for Submitting Application

Please complete this application form by June 1, 2026. If you have questions about this RFP, you may contact Carley Lovorn, clovorn@ngs.org for applications from Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, or Mississippi; and Miriam Kamya, mkamya@ngs.org for applications from Arizona, Ohio, Utah, or D.C. If you have issues accessing and/or submitting the form, you may contact education@ngs.org. Please note that you will need to create an ngs.org account to apply for this opportunity.