Our mission programs drive global impact.
Science and exploration are our foundation — storytelling and education are our superpowers.
We are a global non-profit that funds the best and brightest individuals around the world dedicated to our mission to use the power of science, exploration, education, and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world.
Our Explorers are advancing new knowledge and leading conservation programs with outsized impact to protect nature, wildlife, and historical places. They’re documenting the wonder of our world—including its beauty, mystery, and the threats it faces—and inspiring people to care and act on behalf of our planet and its people.
Explorer-Led Programs
We invest in and scale a small number of signature, Explorer-led programs that can have outsize impact by combining the core elements of our vision: they leverage rigorous science and exploration while combining storytelling and education throughout the fabric of their efforts. These rigorous, multi-year initiatives are catalyzing lasting change across our five focus areas of Ocean, Land, Wildlife, Human Histories and Cultures, Planetary Health, and Space.
Pristine Seas
WonderLab
National Geographic Explorer and renowned photographer Anand Varma to create WonderLab where he will develop innovative photography and videography techniques that push the boundaries of how we understand the wonders of our world.
Perpetual Planet Expeditions
National Geographic and Rolex have partnered to support trailblazing scientific research, expeditions, and solutions to increase our understanding of the threats facing the planet’s life support systems and drive action to address them.
Okavango Wilderness Project
In the heart of southern Africa, the Kalahari Desert gives way to one of the world's largest wetlands as seasonal rains from Angola's highlands flood northern Botswana's Okavango Delta each year.
Photo Ark
Photo Ark uses the power of photography to inspire people to help protect species at risk before it’s too late.
Out of Eden Walk
Paul Salopek is walking the pathways of the first humans who migrated out of Africa in the Stone Age and made the Earth ours.
World Freshwater Initiative
Understanding freshwater is critical for life on Earth and is an integral part of the National Geographic Society’s mission. Learn how our Explorers are preserving the world’s freshwater resources.
Rising Star
With support from Lyda Hill Philanthropies and the National Geographic Society, Explorer in Residence Lee Berger and his team have yielded incredible discoveries in the Rising Star cave system.
Africa Refocused
In a collaboration between Nature, Environment, and Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF) and the National Geographic Society, Africa Refocused is refocusing the narrative of Africa by focusing on stories told by native Africans.
Youth Programs
At the National Geographic Society, our mission is to use the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to protect and illuminate the wonder of our world. Ranging from Internships to Virtual Externships, online education resources, National Geographic Photo Camp, and more, we provide students with immersive and virtual learning experience, inspiring the next generation of Explorers, leaders, and solution seekers.
Slingshot
Young Explorer Program
Student Travel
High school students can get out into the field and explore through the lens of an On Assignment project, including photography, climate & geology, technology, or wildlife conservation.
Photo Camp
Photo Camp’s mission is to amplify the voices of young people by giving them a platform to share their stories and those of their communities, and showing them that their stories matter and can make a difference.
Virtual Externship
In this remote Externship, externs aged 18-25 will translate global freshwater conservation issues into a local context, make them relevant and accessible to their communities, and offer solutions to local or regional problems.
Explorer Classroom
Join Explorer Classroom — a live interactive session that connects young people aged 4-14 with National Geographic Explorers — to hear behind-the-scenes stories and interact with cutting-edge scientists, researchers, and powerful storytellers from around the globe.
Donate Today
Photo Credits from top of page: Cory Richards, Glenn Barit, Charlie Hamilton James, Manu San Felix, Michael Melford, Joel Sartore, Steve Boyes, Esther Ruth Mbabazi, Lynsey Addario, Charlie Hamilton James, Bailey Edelstein, Angela Nankabirwa, Mark Thiessen, Michael Scholl