Press Release

National Geographic Society Launches Global Emergency Fund for Journalists

New Fund Will Support Journalists to Cover COVID-19 in Local Communities
Photo Credit: William Daniels

Photograph by Photo Credit: William Daniels

For more than 130 years, the National Geographic Society has funded storytellers who help explain the world and all that’s in it as well as shine a light on our shared human experiences.

As travel restrictions force the global population to remain stationary, many of the world’s best journalists, including our Explorers, find themselves grounded. Assignments have been cancelled, travel restricted, and speaking engagements postponed.

However, it’s more important than ever that journalists can do what they do best: support and educate their communities through stories, and bring life saving information to people who need it most.

To help journalists around the world, the Society is launching an emergency fund that will distribute support to applicants who wish to safely cover COVID-19 within their own communities.

The goal of the fund is for journalists to deliver news of the preparation, response, and impact of this global pandemic through evidence-based reporting. Beyond reporting on medical and physical health related to the outspread, the Society is especially encouraging reporting that covers social, emotional, economic, and equity issues.

“As one of the largest funders to individual journalists in the world, the National Geographic Society is pleased to launch this emergency fund,” said Kaitlin Yarnall, senior vice president and chief storytelling officer at the National Geographic Society. “Now more than ever, journalism can support communities around the globe by distributing and providing access to information to those who need it most.”

If you are a writer, photographer, videographer, audio journalist, cartographer, filmmaker, or data visualization expert, we encourage you to learn more about this opportunity and consider applying here.

The Society is stressing that recipients of this funding prioritize the health of themselves and the communities in which they work.

If you are interested in helping the Society support more journalists through this fund, please reach out to Rob Flynn at roflynn@ngs.org.

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About National Geographic Society

The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Since 1888, National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of exploration, investing in bold people and transformative ideas, providing more than 15,000 grants for work across all seven continents, reaching 3 million students each year through education offerings, and engaging audiences around the globe through signature experiences, stories and content. To learn more, visit www.nationalgeographic.org or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.