From Local Ideas to Global Impact: National Geographic Society and Allen Family Philanthropies Celebrate 2026 Slingshot Challenge Award Recipients
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 12, 2026) — Today the National Geographic Society and Allen Family Philanthropies announced the 15 award recipients of the 2026 Slingshot Challenge. Launched in 2022, the Slingshot Challenge is a global initiative designed to equip young people with the Explorer Mindset—the attitudes, skills, and knowledge required to turn their ideas into meaningful environmental action. The challenge invites youth aged 13–18 to submit one-minute videos outlining creative solutions to the ecological issues impacting their local communities. By fostering curiosity and encouraging critical thinking, the challenge inspires a global community of solution-finders to tackle urgent environmental questions and develop innovative, real-world solutions.
The 2026 Slingshot Challenge award recipients have identified solutions for pollinator protection in Ohio, reforestation efforts led by women in Cameroon, the development of solar lights that illuminate pathways to schools in Brazil and A.I.-powered hydrophones that protect manatees in Colombia, to name a few.
“The incredible creativity and dedication displayed by this year’s Slingshot Challenge awardees is truly remarkable,” said Deborah Grayson, the chief education and community engagement officer of the National Geographic Society. “These young leaders are doing more than just highlighting the environmental crises facing our planet; they are crafting real, actionable strategies to solve them. By inspiring these bright minds, the Slingshot Challenge continues to foster a new era of conservation leadership. The impact of their work fills us with immense optimism for what lies ahead.”
Now in its fourth year, the Slingshot Challenge received over 2,300 submissions from more that 5,900 youth across 104 different countries. This represents the largest number of participants to date, with many young people teaming up on projects to collaborate to address environmental issues in their community. According to a post-participation survey, 78% of participants said that Slingshot increased adults’ belief that youth can contribute to positive change in their communities, and 76% said that their community considers them an effective change-maker.
“We're proud to play a small part in the origin story of so many young changemakers. Ideas like pet mangroves are a powerful reminder that these young people don't lack creativity or motivation; they just need opportunity. The inter-generational connection between awardees and leaders like National Geographic Explorers has built something beyond individual projects: a network shaping the future of our planet,” said Lara Littlefield, Executive Director at Allen Family Philanthropies. “Today's awardees are tomorrow's scientists, conservationists, and explorers. The Slingshot Challenge awards are just the start for these trailblazers.”
Five Slingshot Challenge Top Honors award recipients will receive $10,000 each, five Distinguished Achievement award recipients will receive $5,000 each and five Significant Achievement award recipients will receive $1,000 each to further their journey as they tackle environmental issues. These award recipients join a global community of alumni who are engaging with the Society and each other to continue learning, leading and connecting around conservation issues.
The five Slingshot Challenge Top Honors Award Recipients are:
Homes for Hornbills
Yanin (Proud) Tangkaravakoon, Thailand: Homes for Hornbills tested and developed a new artificial nest made from upcycled plastic to give hornbills a home in Thailand.
Lighting Paradox in São Paulo
Mirela Cruz, Brazil: This project is developing a solar-powered lighting system made from recycled materials to help bring light to different regions of Brazil.
Restoring Habitat with Smart Rock
Naveen Dhar, United States: Smart Rock is a solar powered monitoring device that provides insights into the health of San Diego marshlands by tracking the presence of integral bird species across the ecosystem.
S.O.S. Manatus
Brandon Miranda Alarcón, Colombia: This project is using a network of specialized underwater microphones to help ship captains avoid collisions with manatees in Colombia.
You want WHAT for Christmas?
Alex Webster, United States: The My Pet Mangrove project is fighting climate change and protecting coastal ecosystems through a “class pet” mangrove restoration program.
“The Slingshot Challenge pushed my team and me to think more critically about our community’s needs. Through that process, we identified a clear gap in wildfire science education and a lack of accessible tools to help community members assess their risk,” said 2025 Top Honors Award recipient Mariela Cruz-Suarez whose project focuses on protecting nature by preventing wildfires through youth-led citizen science and data mapping projects in Los Angeles. “This experience was pivotal in shaping our mission as a STEM education nonprofit, making it more responsive to those we serve. It inspired a new vision centered on strengthening community resilience and gave us the confidence to set more ambitious goals. On a personal level, it also guided me toward pursuing environmental and sustainability science studies in college.”
In September 2026, two additional awards will be announced: the Explorer Connection Award, given to the submission that draws the best connection to the work of a National Geographic Explorer, and the Slingshot Challenge People’s Choice Award, given to the submission that receives the most votes from the general public. Voting for the People’s Choice Award is open until July 31, 2026, and can be accessed here.
Learn more about each award recipient by downloading their submission videos, photos and bios here. Additionally, explore a StoryMap that illustrates the global impact of the inspiring young changemakers and award recipients in the Slingshot Challenge.
Interested teens and educators can sign up now to receive updates here ahead of the fifth annual Slingshot Challenge in the fall of 2026.
Press kit available here.
About the National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Since 1888, National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of exploration, investing in bold people and transformative ideas, providing more than 15,000 grants for work across all seven continents, reaching 3 million students each year through education offerings, and engaging audiences around the globe through signature experiences, stories and content. To learn more, visit www.nationalgeographic.org or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.
About Allen Family Philanthropies
Founded in 1988, Allen Family Philanthropies (formerly known as the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation), invests in communities across the Pacific Northwest and beyond to strengthen arts and culture, empower the next generation of changemakers, and support a global network of partners working to advance biodiversity and human well-being. In addition to its core program areas of arts & culture, youth, and environment, the foundation contributes to a wide range of community grants across Washington state.