Deadline: 06-Feb-2026
The National Geographic Society has announced its Slingshot Challenge to address pressing environmental issues through creativity and action.
Focus: Clean the Air, Restore the Ocean, Protect Nature, Reduce Waste, Address Climate Change. Submissions are eligible to receive up to $10,000 USD in funding as an unrestricted cash award. In the case of teams, funding is split evenly among team members.
Award recipients will join a global community of alumni who are engaging with the Society to continue learning and building their leadership skills as they take action on behalf of the planet. All participants who submit a solution video will receive a digital certificate and will be invited to a virtual announcement and recognition event.
You can participate individually or as part of a team of up to six members, and all team members must be between 13 and 18 years old at the time of submission. Your solution should address a problem in your community related to one or more of the environmental focus areas, and returning participants may either submit a new idea or resubmit a previously developed idea with further improvements.
Participants are invited to create a video showcasing their environmental solution. The video must be no longer than one minute and can be filmed using any equipment, including a phone. Files must be no larger than 200MB, and all content must be original or copyright-free. In May 2026, after videos have been evaluated by a selection panel, the National Geographic Society will announce a small number of award recipients from the submitted videos.
The competition values not only the clarity of the issue addressed but also the creativity and emotional impact of the presentation. Effective use of video-making techniques, a clear and achievable call to action, and meaningful connection to the community are critical for success.
The deadline for applications is 6 February 2026.
For more information, visit National Geographic Society.