For over 130 years, the National Geographic Society has been a global leader in advancing science, exploration, education, and storytelling. Founded in 1888 by a group of prominent scholars and scientists, the Society was established with the mission to “increase and diffuse knowledge.” It has since supported thousands of visionaries dedicated to better understanding the natural and cultural world. With a rich legacy rooted in bold exploration, the Society remains committed to uncovering new insights and pushing the boundaries of discovery.

National Geographic continues to connect with millions globally by staying true to its core mission while evolving with the times. It has maintained its relevance by embracing innovation and expanding its reach through dynamic collaborations, transformative storytelling, and a focus on impact. Today, National Geographic Explorers work to solve the planet’s most pressing challenges and bring critical issues to light through science-driven solutions and compelling narratives. As a world-class organization, it fosters a vibrant community of changemakers who champion the values of exploration, sustainability, and knowledge-sharing in an ever-changing world.

This grant opportunity, launched through a strategic partnership between the National Geographic Society and PepsiCo, focuses on building resilience in global agricultural systems. With nearly half the world’s habitable land used for farming and a third of people’s livelihoods depending on agriculture, climate change poses a significant threat to food security, ecosystem stability, and rural communities.

The grant supports science- and innovation-based projects that apply regenerative, nature-positive practices directly in the field. These projects must yield measurable results in strengthening the resilience of farms, farming communities, and ecosystems to climate change and extreme weather. Priority outcomes include improving soil health, enhancing biodiversity, increasing climate adaptation and mitigation, safeguarding watershed health, and uplifting local livelihoods.

Projects must focus on real-world application, especially involving key food crops like wheat, corn, soy, rice, cocoa, oil palm, and more. Solutions should integrate both traditional and Indigenous knowledge systems while being co-designed and led by local collaborators. Projects must also assess cultural, social, and economic feasibility for long-term scalability. Selected grantees will gain access to the Explorer Community, receive mentorship and capacity-building opportunities, and may be featured in global storytelling platforms to showcase their impact.