SCIENCE AND EXPLORATIONAROUND THE WORLD

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The endangered Matschie’s tree kangarooin Papua New Guinea.

James Day, GranteeGlobal Exploration Fund, Northern Europe

“Work funded by [the National Geographic Society] helped create the first and only (so far) Conservation Area in Papua New Guinea.

This Conservation Area now protects endangered species such as the Matschie’s tree kangaroo, long-beaked echidna, and vulturine parrot.”

Lisa Dabek Recipient of two grants

CONTENTSGrant Programs 4

Exploration and Discovery 5

Science and Conservation 6

Engagement and Storytelling 7

Supporting Projects Around the World 8

Grantmaking by the Numbers 9

Connect With Us 10

Committees and Advisory Boards 11

Photo Credits and Captions 12

Reviewers 13

A NOTE FROM TERRY GARCIAChief Science and Exploration Officer

From the farthest reaches of the globe to our own national parks, the National Geographic Society is always exploring, driven by a desire to understand the world and all of its mysteries.

We are committed to supporting the best in science and exploration through our grant programs, whether we’re mapping the bottom of the sea, climbing an unspoiled mountain or unearthing new clues to human history.

2015 marked another year of impressive research and exploration made possible by the National Geographic Society. Over the course of the year, we funded 491 projects and invested $11,261,495 in science, conservation and exploration, resulting in more than 500 scientific publications.

I want to thank you, our Explorers, partners, advisory board members, and dedicated reviewers, for your contributions to our success. You are an integral part of this compelling work. These are your stories, your moments and your discoveries, and I am proud to share some of them here.

There is still much more to learn and explore. In 2016, we will continue and expand our focus on climate change, critical species, the health of our oceans and preservation of our cultural heritage, and we hope you’ll join us.

On behalf of everyone at the National Geographic Society, I want to wish each of you a happy new year – and look forward to exciting discoveries to come!

Sincerely,

In the ruins of a pre-Columbian city, archaeologists discovered a cache of stone objects, including jars decorated with the images of vultures and snakes. Archaeologist Chris Fisher and team discovered the site in Honduras with the help of LIDAR technology. Terry Garcia

Chief Science and Exploration Officer

The National Geographic Society offers a range of grant programs for fieldwork across a variety of disciplines. When you work with us, you’re supporting outstanding science and exploration.

GRANT PROGRAMST H E W O R K Y O U S U P P O R T

Click on a grant program’s title to learn more about its history and the work it funds. Click the images to link to online content for the grant.

From studying climate change in Alaska to discovering a new species of human ancestor in a South African cave, our Explorers are pushing boundaries, reaching remote locations, and finding unexpected answers to share with the world. Click each tile to learn more about the project.

E X P L O R A T I O N A N D D I S C O V E R Y

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We strive to better understand and preserve the intricate and interconnected systems of our planet. From oceans to energy, we are committed to studying and protecting the world’s diverse and extraordinary environments and creatures. Click each tile to learn more about the project.

S C I E N C E AND CONSERVATION

Our Explorers enlighten and entertain global audiences to help them better understand the world. We look for new ways to ignite the spirit of exploration in people of all ages, empowering them to make a difference. Click each tile to learn more about the project.

E N G A G E M E N T A N D S T O R Y T E L L I N G

S U P P O R T I N G P R O J E C T SA R O U N D T H E W O R L D

Since 1890, we have awarded more than 12,000 grants. We funded nearly 500 Explorers in 2015 alone. These projects offer a lens on a changing world, shining light on how we live today and where we may find ourselves tomorrow.

Click on the map below to explore the 2015 grants in our online interactive map.

Lee Berger’s Homo naledi discovery appeared on the front page of more than 40 newspapers

worldwide. A National Geographic News story about the discovery was the most viewed News story of 2015.

In 2015, 153 Nat Geo grants went to female Explorers doing fieldwork.

Sylvia Earle received herfirst Nat Geo grant in 1998.That year, 61 women received grants.

20 percent of our Explorers were younger than 26.

529 papers published, featuring work funded by Nat Geo.

In 2015, Nat Geo

awarded 180 grants to international Explorers.

Nat Geo awarded its first international grant to Roald Amundsen of Norway in 1913.

$11,261,495 awarded to 491 projects in 100 countries.

2015 BY THE NUMBERS

The National Geographic Society supports incredible scientists, conservationists and explorers, all over the world. We invest in talented people who are solving today’s challenges and innovators who are paving the way for our future. Here are highlights from the year.

CONNECT WITH US

COMMITTEES & ADVISORY BOARDSThe National Geographic Society sincerely thanks the experts who sit on our grant committees and advisory boards. These individuals are key to the success of our grantmaking process, and we are most grateful for their time and commitment to our programs and the projects they support.

COMMITTEE FOR RESEARCH AND EXPLORATION AND CONSERVATION TRUST : Paul A. Baker, Kamaljit S. Bawa, Colin Chapman, John Francis, Janet Franklin, Carol Harden, Kirk Johnson, Jonathan B. Losos, John O’Loughlin, Steve Palumbi, Naomi Pierce, Peter H. Raven, Jeremy A. Sabloff, Monica L. Smith, Thomas B. Smith, Wirt H. Wills

EXPEDITIONS COUNCIL: David Braun, Amy Bucci, Geoff Daniels, Dan Gilgoff, Peter Gwin, Susan Hitchcock, Claire Jones, Amy Kolczak, Sarah Laskin, Jared Lipworth, Rebecca Martin, Gregory McGruder, Rajiv Mody, Courteney Monroe, Sadie Quarrier, Norie Quintos, Brooke Runnette, Jamie Shreeve, Carlyn Staudt, Lisa Thomas, Katherine Thompson, James Williams

NGS/WAITT GRANTS: John Francis, Sarah Laskin, Dominique Rissolo

REGIONAL GRANTS EUROPE: Leonida Fusani, Karen Gunn, Sandra Knapp, Manfred Niekisch, Jan Nijman, Chris Scarre, Birger Schmitz, Lars Werdelin ASIA: Kai Cao, Jae Chun Choe, Jay Hyun Yang, Didi Kasim, Yoshitsugu Kobayashi, Yungshih Lee, Madhu Rao, Koji Shimada, Rasmi Shoocongdej AIR AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND IN CHINA: An Zhisheng, Bi Jun, Ma Jun, Liu Jianqiang, Lu Zhi, Qu Jiuhui, Wen Bo

BIG CATS INITIATIVE: Sarah Durant, Luke Hunter, Beverly and Dereck Joubert, Thomas E. Lovejoy, Tico McNutt, Stuart Pimm, George Rabb, Rudi van Aarde

GENOGRAPHIC LEGACY FUND: Terry Garcia, Simon Longstaff, Kim McKay, Losang Rabgey, Dominique Rissolo, Miguel Vilar

THE GREAT ENERGY CHALLENGE: Sally M. Benson, José Goldemberg, Daniel Kammen, Thomas E. Lovejoy, Amory Lovins, Rajendra K. Pachauri

LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS/NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC FUND: John Francis, Terry Garcia, Sven Lindblad, Lorenzo Rosenzweig

Cover - James Frystak in one of the entrances of the fumarole caves of Mt. Ranier. The plastic flow of the ice plug into the crater effects episodic gas releases through vents in the caves, altering the internal climate, introducing gases that could be acting as nutrients for microbial communities near the vents, and pose periodic threats to climbers sheltering in the caves. Credit: Francois-Xavier De Ruydts Contents Page - The endangered Matschie’s tree kangaroo in Papua New Guinea. Credit: Tim Laman/National Geographic Creative Page 3 - In the ruins of a pre-Columbian city, archaeologists discovered a cache of stone objects, including jars decorated with the images of vultures and snakes. Archaeologist Chris Fisher and team discovered the site in Honduras with the help of LIDAR technology. Credit: Dave Yoder Page 4 - Left to Right, Top to Bottom - Big Cats Around The World Credit: National Geographic | Carving of Kurru Demons. Credit: Geoff Emberling | A baby elephant and its mother. Credit: Michael Nichols/National Geographic Creative | Expeditions Council. Credit: National Geographic | Artistic rendering of Machu Picchu, lost city of the Inca, circa A.D. 1500. Credit: Tritone Images Inc./National Geographic Creative | Solar Repair Credit: Mick Wallace courtesy Impact Energies | Tomás De Berlanga School Credit: ©2013 Jennifer Davidson Photography | A diver inspects a reef. Credit: Michael Lombardi | An ice-climbing enthusiast scales a 75-foot icefall. Credit: George F. Mobley/National Geographic Creative | On a train from Lufeng to Kunming, Yunnan province, People’s Republic of China. Credit: Jodi Cobb/National Geographic Creative | Zheng Chen conducting a survey of rare earth elements in the origin areas of the Gan River and the Pearl River. Photo by Fenghua Wang/National Geo-graphic Creative | Young Explorers Grants Credit: National Geographic

Page 5 - Left to Right, Top to Bottom - The discovery of Homo naledi added a new branch to the human family tree. This depiction of the species’ face was conjured in clay and cast in silicone by paleoartist John Gurche. Credit: Mark Theissen/National Geographic Creative | Steve Boyes encounters the elephant Mombo on the Okavango Expedition, a journey to explore the headwaters of the Okavango to document and protect the region. Credit: James Kydd | Vincent Colliard jumps glacial runoff while trekking in Alaska’s Stikine Ice Field with Børge Ousland. Credit: Børge Ousland/National Geographic Creative | This dark wall cloud produced the largest tornado in history. With a 2.6 mile-wide air column, the tornado was responsible for at least eight fatalities, including storm chasers Tim and Paul Samaras and Carl Young. Credit: Mike Theiss/National Geographic Creative | Brennan Phillips recovered this image of a shark living in the caldera of an underwater volcano from a National Geographic dropcam deployed in the Soloman Islands. Phillips is researching deep sea hydrothermal activity. Credit: National Geographic Remote Imaging Lab

Page 6 - Left to Right, Top to Bottom - Pristine Seas divers encountered this Juan Fernández fur seal while exploring the marine ecosystems of the Galápagos Islands. Credit: Enric Sala | Dr. Marta Alfon-so-Durruty examines the skeletal remains of an early inhabitant of Patagonia at the University of Magallanes in Punta Arenas, Chile. Credit: Dr. Miguel Vilar | SmartCatch stands to revolutionize the fishing industry and improve fishing sustainability with its precision-fishing products such as DigiCatch. Credit: Rob Terry | An elephant feeds on a Solanum campylacanthum plant. This shrub is toxic to some animals but can be eaten by elephants which helps prevent bush encroachment. Robert Pringle researches how spatial patterning regulates behavior of large mammals. Credit: Robert Pringle/National Geo-graphic Creative | Gigermead, a historical local pastoralist, hopes to pass down his knowledge about nomadic production, water and grass to young generations. Yan LU is researching traditional knowledge on water protection in Mongolia. Credit: Yan LU/National Geographic Creative | Sanergy uses several small biodigesters to test the methane content and production volume of different feedstocks in order to optimize biogas production. Credit: Courtesy of Sanergy Page 8 - Left to Right, Top to Bottom - A biofluorescent sea turtle discovered near the Solomon Islands. Credit: David Gruber | Like many of Florida’s springs, the eelgrass and other native vegetation at Manatee Springs has been displaced by toxic green algae, seen encircling a manatee in search of food. Credit: Carlton Ward/National Geographic Creative | 2015 Emerging Explorer and archaeologist Salam Al Kuntar works to preserve Syrian cultural heritage. Credit: Jon Betz | Martin Edström prepares to photograph the first doline of Hang Son Doong. He and his team documented the world’s largest cave with 360° panoramas. Credit: Mats Edström | A lion in the morning sun in Kidepo Valley National Park, northeastern Uganda. Dr. Tom Butynski researches the primates of Uganda. Credit: Yvonne A. De Jong and Thomas M. Butynski | National Geographic Fellow Paul Salopek sets out of Poka, Georgia, on his 21,000-mile walking journey, Out of Eden, to retrace our ancestors’ migration out of Africa and across the globe. Credit: Dima Bit-Suleiman

Page 9 - Left to Right, Top to Bottom - Gregory Barord releasing Nautilus pompilius and Allonautilus scrobiculatus. Peter Ward researching the population number and extinction risk of Allonautilus. Credit: Peter Ward/National Geographic Creative | Manipulation of food items is the most common unimanual behavior amongs kangaroos and wallabies, observed by a team member in the background. Yegor Malashichev researching handedness in wild bipedal marsupials of Australia. Credit: Andrey Giljov/National Geographic Creative | Lucas Gheco taking samples of rock art paints for chemical stud-ies at Oyola 14. Young Explorer Grantee Lucas Ignacio Gheco researching prehispanic rock art in Argentina. Credit: Lucas Gheco/National Geographic Creative| Dr. Sylvia Earle explores the seafloor in a submersible, while a diver with a National Geographic flag swims nearby. Both are participating in the Sustainable Seas Expedition. Credit: National Geographic Television | Venom is collected from an Australian funnel-web spider. Grantee Mark Wong researching geographic variation in the funnel-web spider. Credit: Mark Wong/National Geographic Creative

Page 10 - Grantee Vadim Loginov researching one of the deepest high-altitude cave systems in the world. Credit: Rinaldi Alessandro/National Geographic Creative

PHOTO CREDITS & CAPTIONS

GRANT REVIEWERSThe National Geographic Society sincerely thanks the over 2000 expert reviewers who assisted us in supporting nearly 500 projects this year. These individuals are key to the success of our grant making process, and we are most grateful for the hours and expertise they devote to the grant programs and the quality they ensure in our approval process. All proposal reviewers for 2015 are listed below in alphabetical order.