Celebrating the global leaders, National Geographic Explorers, scientists and storytellers whose distinction in discovery, conservation and research inspires a sustainable future.
The highest honor is the Hubbard Medal, first presented to Robert E. Peary in 1906 and later awarded to icons like Jane Goodall.
Other major honors recognizing global impact include the Rolex Explorer of the Year, the Planetary Leadership Award, the National Geographic/Buffett Award and the Eliza Scidmore Award.
Hubbard Medal
National Geographic's highest honor recognizes individuals for the highest distinction in exploration, scientific research and discovery.
The award most often celebrates years of ground-breaking achievements in a particular field or discipline. This prestigious award was first presented to Explorer Robert E. Peary in 1906 by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, and it exemplifies our passionate belief in the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to change the world. Other distinguished awardees have included astronaut John Glenn, marine archaeologist Bob Ballard, primatologist Jane Goodall, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and conservation biologist Tom Lovejoy.
Past Awardees
Years 2000 to Present
2022: Thomas Lovejoy
2021: Enric Sala
2020: Katherine Johnson
2018: Peter H. Raven
2017: Neil deGrasse Tyson
2016: Meave Leakey
2016: Nainoa Thompson
2015: George Schaller
2013: Edward O. Wilson
2013: Sylvia Earle
2013: James Cameron
2012: Jacques Piccard
2011: Gil Grosvenor
2010: Don Walsh
2000: Matthew Alexander Henson
Years 1963 to 1999
1999: Brian Jones
1999: Bertrand Piccard
1996: Robert D. Ballard
1995: Jane Goodall
1994: Richard Leakey
1994: Gilbert F. White
1981: Robert L. Crippen
1981: John W. Young
1978: Bruce Charles Heezen
1978: Marie Tharp
1978: James E. Webb
1975: Alexander Wetmore
1970: Edwin A. Aldrin
1970: Neil A. Armstrong
1970: Michael Collins
1969: William A. Anders
1969: Frank Borman
1969: James A. Lovell Jr.
1967: Juan T. Trippe
1963: American Mount Everest Expedition
Years 1907 to 1962
1962: John H. Glenn Jr.
1962: Louis Leakey
1962: Mary Leakey
1959: Vivian Fuchs
1959: U.S. Navy Antarctic Expeditions
1958: Paul A. Siple
1954: British Everest Expedition
1945: H.H. Arnold
1936: Lincoln Ellsworth
1935: Orvil A. Anderson
1934: Albert W. Stevens
1931: Anne Morrow Lindbergh
1930: Roy Chapman Andrews
1927: Charles A. Lindbergh
1926: Richard E. Byrd Jr.
1919: Vilhjamur Stefansson
1910: Ernest H. Shackleton
1909: Robert A. Bartlett
1909: Grove Carl Gilbert
1907: Roald Amundsen
1906: Robert E. Peary
Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year
The Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year award is given to an individual whose actions, achievements and spirit push the boundaries of leadership in exploration and who shows a commitment to share this knowledge with the world.
It recognizes a member of the National Geographic Explorer community who shines a critical light on important issues, discoveries and challenges facing our planet, and inspires the world to act on behalf of a more sustainable future.
Previous Awardees Include:
- 2026: Krithi K. Karanth
- 2025: Bertie Gregory
- 2025: Popi Borboroglu
- 2024: Fernando Trujillo
- 2023: Shabana Basij-Rasikh
- 2022: Tara Roberts
- 2021: Paula Kahumbu
- 2020: Corey Jaskolski
- 2019: Okavango Wilderness Project Team
- 2018: Joel Sartore
- 2017: Brian Skerry
- 2016: Lee Berger
- 2015: The Rangers of Virunga National Park
- 2014: Bryan Christy
- 2013: James Cameron
- 2012: Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner
- 2011: Kenny Broad
- 2011: Wes Skiles
National Geographic/Buffett Awards
The National Geographic/Buffett Awards for Leadership in Conservation were established in partnership with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation to recognize and celebrate unsung conservation heroes who are working in the field.
Two awards are presented each year: one for achievement in Africa and the other for achievement in Latin America. These outstanding individuals have demonstrated leadership in managing and protecting the natural resources in their regions and countries, and are inspirational conservation advocates who serve as role models and mentors.
Past Awardees
Years 2020 to Present
2026: Iroro Tanshi
2026: Mauricio Hoyos Padilla
2025: Micaela Camino
2025: Jackson Kabuyaya Mbeke
2024: Julio César Hernández-Montoya
2024: Peter Lalampaa
2023: Lily-Arison Rene de Roland
2023: José Manuel Briceño Linares
2022: Giuliana Furci
2022: Rachel Ikemeh
2021: Abdullahi Ali
2021: Bernal Rodriguez Herrera
2020: Angela Maldonado
2020: Jeannie Raharimampionona
Years 2011 to 2019
2019: Patricia Medici
2019: Tomas Diagne
2018: Pablo Garcia Borboroglu
2018: Leonidas Nzigiyimpa
2017: Rosamira Guillen
2017: Olivier Nsengimana
2016: Makala Jasper
2016: Victor Zambrano
2015: Roger Fotso
2015: Monica Gonzalez
2014: Benezeth Mutayoba
2014: Enriqueta Velarde
2013: Alberto Yanosky
2013: Charles Tumwesigye
2012: Pati Ruiz Corzo
2012: Zacharie Tchoundjeu
2011: Paula Kahumbu
2011: Moi Enomenga
Years 2002 to 2010
2010: John Makombo
2010: Vitor Osmar Becker and Clemira Ordoñez Souza
2008: Denise Rambaldi
2008: Fatima Jama Jibrell
2007: Inogwabini Bila-Isia
2007: Jorge Enrique Orejuela-Gartner
2006: Jaime Incer
2006: Zephaniah Phiri Maseko
2005: Nyawira Muthiga
2005: Marcedonio Cortave
2004: Ali Kaka
2004: Michel Masozera
2003: Aida Safire and Augusto Assane Omar
2002: Annette Lanjouw
2002: Lorivi Ole Moirana
Eliza Scidmore Award
The Eliza Scidmore Award for Outstanding Storytelling recognizes individuals who use immersive storytelling to make complex ideas, issues and information relevant and accessible. The award is named for writer and photographer Eliza Scidmore who, in 1892, was the first woman elected to the National Geographic board.
Eliza Scidmore Awardees:
- 2026: Carlton Ward Jr
- 2025: Tom Peschak
- 2024: Steve Winter and Sharon Guynup
- 2023: Kiliii Yüyan
- 2022: Lynsey Addario
- 2020: Erika Larsen
- 2019: Lynn Johnson
- 2019: David Quammen
- 2018: Carolyn Porco
Planetary Leadership Award
The Planetary Leadership Award honors world leaders who have successfully established globally significant protected areas, such as national parks, wilderness areas or marine reserves, that are shielded from exploitation.
The bold actions of informed and inspired global leaders are vital to building a better future for our planet. Previous winners of the Planetary Leadership Award include Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, former President of Chile Michelle Bachelet, and former Presidents of the Seychelles Danny Faure and James Michel.
Past Awardees Include:
- 2022: Carlos Alvarado Quesada, former President of Costa Rica
- 2022: Iván Duque Márquez, former President of Colombia
- 2020: Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
- 2019: James Michel and Danny Faure, former Presidents of the Seychelles
- 2018: Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile
