The National Geographic Society

Freshwater Conservation

The Opportunity

Freshwater is essential to the functioning of our planet; it’s necessary to sustain healthy and biodiverse ecosystems, it’s inextricably linked to climate change, and humans depend on water to drink and grow crops and raise livestock. The World Water Map, which is part of the Society’s World Freshwater Initiative, visualizes areas of global water gaps. The global water gap Hotspots are regions where human demand for freshwater is outpacing renewable supplies. This leads to depletion of freshwater resources and the risk of water scarcity. 

The goal of this RfP is to help highlight the real-life stories about water scarcity by funding on-the-ground, community-led conservation projects addressing freshwater scarcity challenges through impactful solutions.

Hotspot Locations

• Central Valley, California
• US High Plains (Ogallala Aquifer)

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is best suited for individual project leaders with demonstrable experience co-creating or collaborating with the community or communities that are most impacted by the freshwater scarcity issue and proposed conservation project. These grants are highly competitive and reserved for select projects located in one of the 20 water scarcity / water gap Hotspots, as defined by the modeled water gaps in the World Water Map. Interested applicants should review the FAQs for more information about the water gap Hotspots.