Deadline: 03-Oct-2025
The Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic (LEX-NG) Fund is a competitive call for applications that seeks to fund ambitious projects focused on the conservation, restoration, or research of blue forests and is aimed at supporting inspirational and passionate project leaders.
This presents a powerful opportunity for strengthening and centering the voices of communities who are part of the expedition journeys; They will support projects that center the needs, interests and knowledge of communities and local partners; This funding opportunity will prioritize blue forests in National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions (NG-LEX) destinations.
The LEX-NG Fund will support new projects that focus on our planet’s critical blue forest coastal ecosystems. These ecosystems, which include mangroves, salt marshes, kelp forests, and seagrass meadows, help protect coastal areas, provide food sources, improve water quality, and act as carbon sinks. Despite their importance, blue forests are in critical decline due to climate change and human activity. The National Geographic Society and Lindblad Expeditions are looking for innovative new projects to reverse these trends. The RFP will support projects with a primary discipline of Science, and applications for storytelling and education projects will not be considered.
Applicants should be passionate and knowledgeable about their project’s subject matter. There are no minimum academic or experiential requirements. Applicants are encouraged to design projects to be implemented in communities where they have existing connections or a track record of work, or they should include local collaborators. To be eligible, a project must primarily focus on the conservation, restoration, or research of blue forests, have a primary discipline of Science, and an Ocean focus area. While projects in NG-LEX destinations are preferred, those in other regions will also be considered. Candidates must be over 18 years old and willing to provide project information to be shared with travelers.
Most projects will be awarded as Level I grants, with budgets not exceeding US20,000. Level II project budgets may not exceed US100,000, with an expected average budget between US50,000andUS75,000. You may apply for a Level I Grant if you are working to establish yourself in your field, hope to gain experience leading projects, are interested in joining the National Geographic Explorer community, and have not yet received a grant from the National Geographic Society; this level is designed for those earlier in their career. If you are more established, have previously received a grant from the National Geographic Society, or need a higher level of funding, you may apply for a Level II Grant; prior receipt of a grant is not required for this level. Projects funded at Level I must be completed within one year of receiving funding, while Level II projects have a two-year completion timeframe. Extensions may be granted in extenuating circumstances on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants are encouraged to design projects for communities where they have existing connections or a track record of work. If you do not have existing connections in a proposed location, you should include local collaborators. The application and all required reporting must be completed in English. Application materials must be complete enough for the reviewers to assess your skills, experience, and project idea. Strong applications will include an achievable goal and meaningful collaboration with local stakeholders at every stage of the project.
The National Geographic Society will also host a one-hour informational webinar about the RFP on Tuesday, August 26, from 9 am to 10 am EDT to answer applicant questions. Additional office hours will be held on September 8, from 11 am to 12 pm EDT, and on Monday, September 22, from 6 pm to 7 pm EDT, where applicants can sign up for ten-minute one-on-one blocks.
Candidates must submit their application through the National Geographic Society website. The RFP opens in August 2025 and closes on October 3, 2025, at 11:59 PM EDT (October 4 at 3:59 AM UTC). Awards are expected to be announced in December 2025.
For more information, visit National Geographic Society.
