National Geographic Society Launches New Grant, Preserving Traditional Arts

The National Geographic Society just launched a new Request for Proposals (RFP): Preserving Traditional Arts. This RFP is made possible through their collaboration with Lindblad Expeditions and will be supported by the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund, contributed to by travelers on National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions voyages around the globe.

Through this RFP they will fund projects that support the work of traditional artists, knowledge holders, and heritage practitioners to preserve cultural heritage for communities around the world. Projects may include documentation and inventorying of artisan practices, methodologies, or designs; capacity development through structured apprenticeships, workshops, or trainings focused on local or regional stakeholders (including in the use of sustainable or repurposed materials in traditional arts); or knowledge sharing through community exhibits, practitioner-archival collaborations, or other approaches focused on safeguarding local artisan traditions and practices. Relevant artistic practices and living traditions for this RFP may include but are not limited to craft, music, adornment, dance, and spoken arts.

Projects should include efforts to support sustainable transmission of traditions across generations and describe proposed activities and impacts in detail. Potential projects should be led by artisans or practitioners with deep experience in the relevant local culture(s). If you are not such an artisan or practitioner but have an idea for a project that could be a good fit for the RFP, at least one artisan or practitioner should be included on your project team. This funding opportunity will prioritize projects in National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions destinations, including Baja California, Egypt, Europe and the Mediterranean, Southeast Alaska and British Columbia, and the South Pacific. For more information, please review the targeted areas document.

The RFP is now accepting applications, and will remain open until June 4, 2026 at 11:59pm EDT. “Level I” proposals can request up to US$20,000, and “Level II” proposals can request up to US$40,000. Awards are anticipated to be announced in December 2026 for projects expected to begin in 2027.

National Geographic Society will host three 1-hour informational webinars to share additional information and answer questions regarding the RFP. If you are interested in joining one of the webinars, you can sign up using the links below:

• May 1, 10am-11am Eastern Time
• May 14, 10am-11am Eastern Time (Spanish-language)
• May 14, 4pm-5pm Eastern Time