Coastal Ecosystems for People and Planet- Level I grants Grant

Coastal Ecosystems for People and Planet- Level I grants Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: National Geographic Society
Amount: Up to US $20,000
Last Updated: October 08, 2025

Summary

The Coastal Ecosystems for People and Planet- Level I grants, funded by the National Geographic Society, support projects aimed at conserving and restoring vital blue forest ecosystems. These ecosystems, including mangroves and seagrass meadows, play a crucial role in protecting coastlines and enhancing biodiversity. The grants are designed for early-career individuals seeking to lead impactful projects that engage local communities and promote sustainable practices, while also addressing climate change through effective ecosystem management.

Overview

The Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic (LEX-NG) Fund is supported by travelers aboard National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions voyages and has a mission to support projects that help us better understand and protect our world’s oceans, restore critical marine and coastal habitats, and foster environmental stewardship in the regions visited by the fleet, and beyond. The Fund supports inspirational, passionate project leaders who are committed to illuminating and protecting the wonder of our world. In 2025, the LEX-NG Fund will support new projects that focus on our planet’s critical blue forest coastal ecosystems. Mangroves and salt marshes help protect coastal areas by lessening the impact of coastal erosion, storms, and flooding; kelp forests provide a nutritionally rich food source for neighboring communities and wildlife; seagrass meadows improve water quality by removing harmful nitrogen; and all blue forests support rich, unique ecosystems upon which many communities around the world rely for their livelihoods. Protection, management, and restoration of existing blue forests have the potential to stave off further ecosystem losses and maintain carbon-related benefits – blue forests can also act as carbon sinks by capturing and holding carbon. Blue forest ecosystems are now acknowledged as climate solutions, due to their carbon sequestration and climate adaptation potential. In some cases, they can store 10 to 20 times as much carbon per hectare as terrestrial forests. This competitive call for applications seeks to fund ambitious projects focused on conservation, restoration, or research related to blue forests (including mangroves, seagrass meadows, kelp forests, or coastal salt marshes). This presents a powerful opportunity for strengthening and centering the voices of communities who are part of the expedition journeys. Through the LEX-NG Fund we will support projects that center the needs, interests and knowledge of communities and local partners – complementing National Geographic-Lindblad’s existing work in building unique cultural experiences for guests that foster cultural connection. Level I: 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, you may apply for a Level I Grant. This opportunity is designed for individuals who may be earlier in their career.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Project must primarily focus on conservation, restoration, or research related to blue forests (such as mangroves, seagrass meadows, kelp forests, or coastal salt marshes).Project must have a primary discipline of Science, and a primary focus area of Ocean; applications for Storytelling and Education projects will not be considered.Projects focused on blue forests in locations that overlap with NG-LEX voyages (please review the Regions of Interest document for more information) are preferred, but not required.Candidate must be willing to provide project information that can be shared with travelers aboard NG-LEX vessels.Candidate must be over the age of 18.The individual responsible for carrying out the project should be listed as the project leader.Projects awarded at Level I must be completed within one (1) year of receipt of funding. Projects awarded at Level II must be completed within two (2) years of receipt of funding. Extensions may be granted due to extenuating circumstances, on a case by case basis.Applicants are encouraged to design projects to be implemented in communities where they already have existing connections or a track record of work. If the applicant does not have existing connections or a track record of work in the proposed location(s), they are strongly encouraged to include local collaborators.Application and all required reporting must be completed in English.Application materials must be complete enough to be able to assess candidate’s skills and experience, as well as the project idea.Strong applications will include an achievable goal, as well as meaningful collaboration with local stakeholders built into every stage of the project.