Animal Behavior and Cognition Funding Opportunity

About

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.

If selected, each individual will receive direct funding of $800,000, as well as substantial additional resources and services over four (4) years (with the possibility to extend an additional six (6) years, totaling a project length of 10 years). 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.

Funding Information

• The maximum annual budget request is $200,000 USD, for a maximum budget request of $800,000 for four (4) years.

• Applicants may request up to 15% of the total annual budget as overhead or indirect costs. Typically, these costs are related to the administration of your project and grant funds and may be used by an institution to cover day-to-day operational fees. Overhead or indirect costs may not exceed $30,000 USD per year and must be requested in addition to the total annual budget for the grant.

Benefits

Each Explorer will receive:

• 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 within and outside of the science community.

• Elevation through regular exposure, speaking, and media opportunities based on project discoveries and accomplishments.

Project Criteria

• Projects must focus on understanding the ultimate, proximate, or developmental causes of animal behavior and cognition in all its forms.

• Projects must answer compelling, well-defined research questions regarding any or a combination of the priority topics, demonstrate the need for long-term research, and show potential for scientific growth.

• Projects must be research. Projects focused on conservation, education, or storytelling DO NOT qualify for this funding opportunity.

• Projects must be fieldwork-oriented and focus on wild populations (projects working with captive populations will not be accepted for this opportunity).

• Projects must be planned to run for four (4) years, and applicants must describe the specific research questions, activities, and budget for that timeline. HOWEVER, the proposed project must be framed within the applicants’ long-term research plan (over a potential 10-year span) and the larger question driving their scientific curiosity.

• This funding opportunity does not have any taxonomic or geographic restrictions.

• For well-studied species, projects must focus on novel approaches to studying their behavior and cognition.

Eligibility

• Candidates must have at least three (3) years of relevant work experience after the award of their Ph.D. The National Geographic Society welcomes 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.

• A strong publication record relative to the applicant’s career experience is expected.

• 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.

• Ideal candidates will articulate specific plans to empower and strengthen the scientific capacities of local researchers in the country or region where the project will be conducted.

• For projects focused on species without site fidelity, applicants must present plans for collaborations with local researchers from the species’ natural-ranging area. For marine and/or migratory species.

• Candidates must show interest in communicating their research findings effectively to the public, inspire appreciation for the pursuit of knowledge, and serve as future role models in their field.

• In alignment with the mission of the Templeton Prize, applicants must include a vision of how their project will contribute to National Geographic Society’s understanding of the natural world and the place and purpose of humans within it.

• Candidates must be interested in engaging with NGS/Explorer Community and willing to work with National Geographic staff and partners.

• Successful applicants will be required to follow good practices in open science, consistent with the Open Access Policy of the Templeton World Charity Foundation (TWCF).

Post Date: 19-Dec-2022