Coastal Ecosystems for People and Planet- Level II grants Grant

The Coastal Ecosystems for People and Planet - Level II grants support innovative projects focused on the conservation and restoration of blue forest ecosystems, such as mangroves, seagrass meadows, and kelp forests. These ecosystems are vital for protecting coastlines, enhancing biodiversity, and sequestering carbon. The National Geographic Society encourages established project leaders to apply, particularly those with a commitment to community engagement and environmental stewardship, ensuring projects are impactful and sustainable.

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.
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.
Level II:
If you are more established in your field, have previously received a grant from the National Geographic Society, or are seeking a higher level of funding, you may apply for a Level II Grant. You are not required to have previously received a grant from the National Geographic Society to apply for this opportunity.

Eligibility

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.