The Office of Foundations Relations is pleased to share this open call for funding from the National Geographic Society.
UCSC Contact: Caroline Rodriguez | caroline@ucsc.edu
Funder: National Geographic Society
Program Description: Animal Behavior and Cognition
Funding: $800,000
Deadline: April 12, 2023, 9:00 AM PT
Overview Conservation
The National Geographic Society is launching a rigorous global effort to find three of the best scientists doing field research on animal behavior and cognition. The selection process will focus on identifying individuals doing fieldwork with the potential to develop into a high-value, long-term research program.
Beyond funding, the three individuals will be named a National Geographic Explorer and welcomed into the Society’s global National Geographic Explorer community. As Explorers, they will receive significant additional investment in their work, such as leadership and community-building training; regular exposure, speaking, and media opportunities; innovative equipment, technology, and data services to support and propel their projects; and collaboration opportunities with other members of the National Geographic Explorer community.
This program is funded in part by the Templeton World Charity Foundation, Inc.
Award and Terms
- Direct funding of $800,000 ($200,000 USD per year), as well as substantial additional resources and services, over four years.
- Storytelling assets and science communication training needed to engage and inspire those
- Elevation through regular exposure, speaking, and media opportunities based on project discoveries and accomplishments.
Eligibility
- Candidates must have at least three (3) years of relevant work experience after the award of their Ph.D. We welcome applications from all career stages beyond that, but preference will be given to early-career scientists.
- Candidates must possess a minimum of three (3) years of fieldwork experience working with their proposed species or a similar species (these three (3) years do not need to be continuous).
- Candidates must demonstrate their experience leading field projects relevant to the research topics.
- Candidates must show exceptional originality, insight, drive, and potential to achieve significant future advances in knowledge.
- Candidates should demonstrate strong relationships and collaborations with key local stakeholders and present a local engagement plan.
Please consult the program guidelines for further details.
Please look at a Sample Application Template here.
Timeline
- April 12, 2023 Submission NGS portal by 9:00 AM PT
- September 2023 Top 6 finalists will be invited to discuss their projects with a panel of experts
- October 2023 Announcement of Awards
Special Instructions
Please let Foundation Relations (caroline@ucsc.edu) know if you are interested in applying. Please submit a proposal intake form prior to UCSC’s internal Institutional Deadlines. For support developing your proposal, please contact the Research Development Specialist assigned to your unit or send a request to resdev@ucsc.edu. Within the Division of Social Sciences, please contact Ashlee Tews (ashleeac@ucsc.edu) to initiate notification and proposal support.
Call sent: March 1, 2023
The Office of Foundation Relations is a unit of University Relations. The FR team creates and maintains mutually beneficial, long-term relationships with private organizations, matching grant initiatives with educational and research programs and centers. FR supports faculty and staff to identify and approach these and other private foundations and corporations for funding, assists in strategic positioning of the grant application, and facilitates funder campus visits.
For a list of recent funding opportunities, please visit the FR website. FR Calls for Funding