Who is eligible to apply?
All participants over the age of 18 in countries not prohibited by the United States are eligible to apply. National Geographic staff and their immediate families are ineligible to apply. Please see the rules for additional details.
What sort of ideas is National Geographic looking for?
National Geographic is open to ideas across a broad range of subjects related to science, exploration, and conservation. Review the application and trait scoring rubric to help you frame your idea.
Who "owns" my idea?
You do. By submitting your entry, you are providing a royalty-free, perpetual, and non-exclusive license to your entry and all associated entry content to National Geographic Society, as more specifically described in the Terms & Conditions. National Geographic may also investigate the use of other ideas submitted. Please note: If there are portions of your entry that include any third-party intellectual property, it is your responsibility to disclose this fact, and the inclusion of such third-party content may cause your entry to be disqualified.
Do I have to be a subject matter expert to participate?
No. You are not required to have extensive knowledge in a particular field to propose an idea for a competition. Successful applicants will have done research into the topic for their proposed competition and the details of your application will help you frame your challenge. Take time to read the application requirements carefully.
If I have questions about the program or my application, who should I contact?
Please email [email protected] if you have any questions about the competition or your application. Also, once you have registered, you may post questions or requests for clarification on the discussion forums. Staff dedicated to answering any questions or clarifying any issues will be monitoring the discussion forums.
Will I receive feedback on my application?
Yes, you will receive feedback from five qualified judges. Each of those five judges will score your idea by assessing it against four traits: meaningful; achievable; innovative; and compelling. Please see the scoring process for more information.
When is the registration deadline?
To compete, you must register by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, March 31, 2015. Only registrants can apply. Please see the timeline for more information.
When is the application deadline?
All applications are due by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, April 14, 2015. Only those who successfully complete the registration process may apply. Please see the timeline for more information.
When will the winner be announced?
After the winner has been notified in early June 2015 and the appropriate paperwork has been signed, details regarding the winner will be posted to the News section of the website.