diff --git a/backend/api/projects/resources.py b/backend/api/projects/resources.py
index ffbc168d7a..7cab8165c3 100644
--- a/backend/api/projects/resources.py
+++ b/backend/api/projects/resources.py
@@ -520,6 +520,9 @@ def setup_search_dto(self):
             search_dto.mapping_types = map(
                 str, mapping_types_str.split(",")
             )  # Extract list from string
+        search_dto.mapping_types_exact = strtobool(
+            request.args.get("mappingTypesExact", "false")
+        )
         project_statuses_str = request.args.get("projectStatuses")
         if project_statuses_str:
             search_dto.project_statuses = map(str, project_statuses_str.split(","))
@@ -569,6 +572,11 @@ def get(self):
             - in: query
               name: mappingTypes
               type: string
+            - in: query
+              name: mappingTypesExact
+              type: boolean
+              default: false
+              description: if true, limits projects to match the exact mapping types requested
             - in: query
               name: organisationName
               description: Organisation name to search for
diff --git a/backend/models/dtos/project_dto.py b/backend/models/dtos/project_dto.py
index 2445a8157e..51ba001f73 100644
--- a/backend/models/dtos/project_dto.py
+++ b/backend/models/dtos/project_dto.py
@@ -291,6 +291,7 @@ class ProjectSearchDTO(Model):
     preferred_locale = StringType(default="en")
     mapper_level = StringType(validators=[is_known_mapping_level])
     mapping_types = ListType(StringType, validators=[is_known_mapping_type])
+    mapping_types_exact = BooleanType(required=False)
     project_statuses = ListType(StringType, validators=[is_known_project_status])
     organisation_name = StringType()
     organisation_id = IntType()
diff --git a/backend/services/project_search_service.py b/backend/services/project_search_service.py
index 6c0fe23704..897c98c0bc 100644
--- a/backend/services/project_search_service.py
+++ b/backend/services/project_search_service.py
@@ -263,12 +263,21 @@ def _filter_projects(search_dto: ProjectSearchDTO, user):
         if search_dto.mapping_types:
             # Construct array of mapping types for query
             mapping_type_array = []
-            mapping_type_array = [
-                MappingTypes[mapping_type].value
-                for mapping_type in search_dto.mapping_types
-            ]
 
-            query = query.filter(Project.mapping_types.contains(mapping_type_array))
+            if search_dto.mapping_types_exact:
+                mapping_type_array = [
+                    {
+                        MappingTypes[mapping_type].value
+                        for mapping_type in search_dto.mapping_types
+                    }
+                ]
+                query = query.filter(Project.mapping_types.in_(mapping_type_array))
+            else:
+                mapping_type_array = [
+                    MappingTypes[mapping_type].value
+                    for mapping_type in search_dto.mapping_types
+                ]
+                query = query.filter(Project.mapping_types.overlap(mapping_type_array))
 
         if search_dto.text_search:
             # We construct an OR search, so any projects that contain or more of the search terms should be returned