Background Information
The National Geographic Society, a global leader in exploration, science, and education, has partnered with the Conrad Hilton Foundation’s Safe Water Initiative to launch a new initiative aimed at raising awareness about sustainable freshwater use.
With a mission focused on illuminating global challenges related to freshwater access, this initiative particularly targets regions experiencing pressing water issues: sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, Western Asia, and the Middle East.
Through this partnership, National Geographic seeks innovative storytellers to craft compelling narratives that spotlight the pressing issues faced by vulnerable communities regarding freshwater access and sustainability.
Opportunity Overview
Access to safe and clean water is essential for human development, underpinning the Sustainable Development Goal #6, which aspires to make safe and affordable drinking water available for all by 2030.
Unfortunately, many areas around the globe are presently grappling with significant challenges to access clean water, exacerbated by climate change and increasing human demands on freshwater resources.
Currently, approximately 10% of the world’s population lacks access to clean water.
The World Freshwater Initiative by the National Geographic Society aims to shed light on the current state of freshwater supplies, examining the discrepancies between supply and demand while acknowledging the ecological repercussions of human water use.
The initiative comprises two fundamental components:
- The World Water Map: A dynamic geo-visualization tool showing global water availability, it fosters water literacy and highlights crucial questions like water shortages and sector demands.
- Grantmaking for Storytelling: National Geographic fosters a community of Explorers through grants, encouraging storytelling, conservation, and educational projects that advocate for sustainable water management.
Who Should Apply
This Request for Proposals (RfP) seeks accomplished and visionary storytellers from around the world. Proposals can take numerous forms, including but not limited to:
- Photography
- Film and Video
- Mapmaking
- Data Visualization
- Written Word
- Spoken Word
Submissions that address the specific challenges faced by communities—including last mile households, low-income families, women, girls, and children—are particularly encouraged.
Furthermore, projects that showcase innovative solutions and amplify the voices of affected individuals, organizations, and communities will be prioritized.
Applicants must display a robust background in successful media projects and include a portfolio in their application packet.
Grant Details
Funding Levels: Applicants can request between US$20,000 (Level I) to US$100,000 (Level II). Early-career storytellers (5 years or less experience) are particularly encouraged to apply at the US$20,000 level. Previous National Geographic Explorers are not eligible for Level I grants.
Explorer Community: First-time grant recipients will join the Explorer Community, providing access to ongoing funding opportunities, training courses, software tools, and other essential resources.
Budget and Timeline
Successful proposals should include well-justified budgets addressing field expenses, equipment, and freelancer stipends.
A clear dissemination plan and impact assessment for the project must be articulated in the application. All projects must be completed and submitted to the National Geographic Society within one year of receiving funding.
Submission Guidelines
All applications must be submitted via the online portal; submissions via email or mail will not be accepted.
Proposals should be written in English, however, English proficiency is not a requirement. Only one project proposal may be submitted per applicant, and the project lead must be identified in the submission.
Deadline
- The deadline for the submission of proposals is April 22, 2025, at 11:59 PM EDT.
For inquiries, please contact us at funding@ngs.org with “Freshwater Storytelling RfP” in the subject line.
Join us in this vital initiative and help us tell the world’s freshwater stories!
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