STOCKHOLM (Dec. 5, 2011)—The National Geographic Society today announced the launch of its Global Exploration Fund, a new initiative to fund research, conservation and exploration projects through regional centers around the globe.
With support from the Swedish Postcode Lottery, National Geographic opens its first regional fund and new operations in Stockholm to support scientists and explorers from the Northern European region who are advancing research and exploring solutions that benefit our planet.
“Some believe that the ‘golden age’ of exploration is behind us. On the contrary, I believe we are at the beginning of our greatest age of exploration,” said Terry Garcia, National Geographic’s executive vice president for Mission Programs. “There is still so much to explore and discover about our planet.” The Global Exploration Fund is modeled on National Geographic’s century-long approach to funding scientific field research, exploration and conservation projects through targeted grant programs.
A scientific advisory board composed of leading scientists from across the region has been appointed to evaluate projects for potential funding. Residents of the following 14 countries are eligible to receive grants: Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
“The mission of the Postcode Lottery is to raise funds for NGOs and increase awareness of their work,” said Niclas Kjellström-Matseke, CEO, Swedish Postcode Lottery. “Supporting National Geographic’s Global Exploration Fund is an excellent way of fulfilling our mission.”
National Geographic’s Stockholm office will be led by newly appointed Executive Director Stefan Nerpin. The team in Stockholm will serve as primary contact for prospective grant applicants, outreach and potential funders.
“I am excited to be part of this effort and hope to establish this National Geographic office as a significant source of funding for Northern European scientists and explorers,” said Nerpin. “It is also our goal to find additional sources of income, so that we can continue to grow this program to support even more explorers in the field.”
Since 1890, the National Geographic has funded grants to every corner of the Earth — filling gaps in human knowledge, sometimes in spectacular ways. Late in 2011, the total number of National Geographic grants reached 10,000, representing a combined value of $153 million. Scientific field research, exploration, conservation and adventure are the backbone of National Geographic’s grants; the scientific grants focus primarily on anthropology, archaeology, biology, geology, geography, oceanography and paleontology.
National Geographic grants have led to countless discoveries that continue to shed light on the planet’s rich variety and diversity — and help preserve it. The results from field work are shared with audiences around the world through an array of National Geographic media, including print, broadcast and online outlets as well as events, exhibits and educational platforms.
Past and current grantees include polar explorer Robert Peary; Hiram Bingham, excavator of the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu; anthropologists Louis and Mary Leakey; primatologist Jane Goodall; Robert Ballard, underwater explorer and discoverer of the sunken Titanic; anthropologist Wade Davis; marine biologist Sylvia Earle; high-altitude archaeologist Johan Reinhard; and paleontologist Paul Sereno.
Additional information about the new Global Exploration Fund and how to apply for a grant is available at www.nationalgeographic.com/gef/northerneurope/.
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About the National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 400 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; live events; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded 10,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy.