Deadline: October 8, 2025
Submit your proposals for the National Geographic Society Ocean Exploration & Discovery 2025 Call. In 2022, a partnership between Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) and the National Geographic Society (the Society) was forged to advance ocean science and exploration. The goal of the partnership is to provide early career ocean scientists from around the world the opportunity to lead impactful projects that will explore, understand and inform the protection of the ocean. This partnership also builds on both organizations’ commitments to support leadership development in the ocean sciences and provide funding and access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure.
Under this partnership, the Society and SOI are recruiting and supporting early career scientists who can take advantage of one berth space and the research infrastructure aboard SOI’s Falkor (too) research vessel during its 2026 season traversing the east coast of South America. Falkor (too) provides cutting-edge space for pioneering ocean research and technology development projects. The state-of-the-art research vessel has onboard laboratories, underwater robot and camera capabilities, a high performance computing system and the ability to trial and implement new tools for capacity development and ocean research.
Benefits
- To cover travel and project related costs, the Society will award grants of up to $20,000 USD to selected research, conservation and/or technology projects.
- Awardees will also join the Explorer Community as National Geographic Explorers and have access to opportunities for training, capacity development and network building.
Eligibility
- Open to early career scientists with experience in marine sciences and the ability to lead ship-based oceanographic science, deep sea research and/or other exploratory research with limited guidance. They define an “Early Career” professional as someone who is looking to establish themselves better in their field, and/or those seeking mentorship from others in their field and beyond.
- This funding opportunity is open to applicants over the age of 18. Note that individuals who are already National Geographic Explorers cannot apply.
- Funding requests for this opportunity can be up to $20,000 USD. Projects can be up to one year in length and the fieldwork must occur in 2026.
- In alignment with the outlined criteria, selected projects must occur in the identified regions Falkor (too) will traverse in 2026 and be compatible and/or aligned with at least one of the overarching expedition projects slated for the year. They will prioritize projects that align with overarching expedition projects slated for the year within the following subfields: Biogeochemistry, Mid-Water Biodiversity Exploration, Physical Oceanography, Mesophotic Ecosystems, Marine Technology, and Underwater Seamounts.
- Candidates should propose work that does not require additional onboard team members besides existing Falkor (too) staff who can support logistical and technical needs with onboard instruments; they anticipate that a single berth will be available for this project. They will also prioritize candidates who demonstrate that they would benefit from access to scientific infrastructure on Falkor (too) for which they normally would not have access, and who have strong local networks that will further project impacts.
Application
The National Geographic Society is accepting applications for the Level I grants in support of the Schmidt Ocean Institute- National Geographic Society partnership. Full applications are due by October 8, 2025, 11:59 p.m. EDT.
For more information, visit National Geographic Society Ocean Exploration & Discovery.
