Illuminating Climate Solutions
Submission Deadline: May 25, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT
Stories, and the people who tell them, matter more than ever. At a time when we’re flooded by noise and competing causes, authentic storytelling is critical to being able to cut through the clutter and evoke emotion in a way that causes people to respond and to act. National Geographic and The Climate Pledge seek to turn the power of storytelling toward illuminating climate resilience and solutions around the world.
When we talk about climate action, we often talk in numbers. Degrees of warming. Metric tons of carbon. Miles of coastline lost. But the most urgent call to act doesn’t come from charts or models—it comes from human stories. From the communities already navigating climate upheaval. From the people reimagining what resilience looks like when the effects of climate change are right at their doorstep. From the trailblazers innovating new pathways and reimagining life in a warming world. Partnering with The Climate Pledge, National Geographic Society seeks stories that range from scientific breakthroughs to the resilience of communities in the face of a changing planet. All story ideas must be grounded in solutions. Because if we want to change the future, we must first change the stories we tell about it.
The National Geographic Society and The Climate Pledge will support a global community of Explorers producing a portfolio of projects focused on climate resilience and solutions, creating a stunning storytelling legacy that will inspire business leaders and policymakers to take action toward a better world. This funding opportunity is open to both existing Explorers and those not yet part of the Explorer community.
Potential stories may be related to, but not limited to:
- Climate & Energy Transition
- Carbon-free energy; Decarbonization
- Nature & Land Systems
- Water stewardship; Nature-based solutions (biodiversity, restoration, adaptation); Regenerative agriculture; Food systems
- Built & Human Systems
- Built environment; Climate migration; Public health; Social adaptation
- Adaptation in Extreme Weather
- Hurricanes, heat waves, wildfires, and floods
Eligibility Criteria
- Storytellers who have lived in or have significant experience working in the communities where their proposed stories are focused, or demonstrate established collaborative relationships with local organizations and stakeholders in these communities will be prioritized.
- Applicants should show a record of successful media projects and must submit a portfolio (i.e. website) as part of their application packet.
- Applicants may request up to $100,000, though it is recommended that if you have five years or less of experience, you 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 two years. All applications should explicitly state the plan for evaluating the impact of the proposed work.
Additional Details
- All first-time grant recipients will join our Explorer Community and become eligible for future funding. You will also gain access to training courses, software tools and other resources.
- Only applications submitted through our online portal are accepted. Please do not email or mail your application. All applications must be submitted in English, although English does not have to be your primary language. The individual responsible for carrying out the project should write the application and must be listed as the project leader. You may submit a proposal as a project lead for only one project. The deadline for submission of applications is May 25, 2026, at 11:59 PM US-EDT.
- If you have any questions or need additional information regarding this RFP, please email us at funding@ngs.org with RFP Illuminating Climate Solutions in the subject line.
Photo credits: Luján Agusti, Ciril Jazbec