The Fulbright-National Geographic Award Program
Since 2013, the Fulbright Program and the National Geographic Society have partnered to provide a unique Fulbright opportunity, the Fulbright-National Geographic Award Program. The annual award program recognizes and invests in a cohort of up to five individuals, making available additional funding and resources to enhance the reach and impact of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program experience. Fulbright U.S. Student Program applicants may apply for the Fulbright-National Geographic Award Program and propose up to $20,000 in additional grant funds from the National Geographic Society to expand their research and/or help bring their stories to life.
The Fulbright-National Geographic Award Program is seeking proposals across research, technology, education and storytelling that undertake an in-depth examination of a globally relevant issue as an enhancement to the applicant’s Fulbright Open Study/Research project. Each of these projects will intersect and unite in their goal to communicate powerful narratives that mobilize global communities, create mutual understanding and build a more peaceful world. Funded projects will align with one or more of the Society’s six focus areas: Human Histories and Cultures, Land, Ocean, Planetary Health, Space or Wildlife.
Successful Fulbright-National Geographic Award Program applicants, in addition to receiving standard Fulbright U.S. Student Study/Research benefits and additional grant funds, will join the National Geographic Society’s global community of Explorers and gain access to resources and opportunities such as trainings, regional Explorer events, speaking engagements, and dedicated mentor and staff support.
The National Geographic Society uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. The Fulbright-National Geographic Award Program seeks individuals leveraging science, technology, and storytelling to help protect species-at-risk, better understand human histories and cultures, conserve our planet’s land and oceans, and build a more sustainable future.
Eligibility and Requirements for Applicants
The Fulbright-National Geographic Award Program is an enhancement award to a Fulbright Open Study/Research proposal. Fulbright-National Geographic Award recipients must be selected for a Fulbright Study/Research Grant by the eligible country for which they applied and meet the criteria of the Fulbright Study/Research requirements of the host country.
Candidates from all fields are encouraged to apply.
To be considered for this opportunity, applicants must express interest by marking “Yes” in response to the question “Are you interested in applying to the Fulbright-National Geographic Award Program?” within the Fulbright U.S. Student Study/Research application. Semi-finalists will be invited to submit additional materials for the Fulbright-National Geographic opportunity in late January/early February 2025 for the 2025-2026 competition.
Application Information
FAQs
Current Fulbright-National Geographic Award Recipients
Artis Henderson; Conservation Journalist; Australia
As a journalist studying the effects of sea level rise on the world’s oldest living microorganisms, Henderson will research the marine stromatolites of Shark Bay in Western Australia. Henderson's project will include the voices of the Malgana people — traditional custodians of Gatharragudu, the Malgana name for Shark Bay — who provide perspectives on marine stromatolites that are essential to our understanding of both early conditions on Earth and the potential for life on Mars. Yet research warns that they are in danger of disappearing within the next 30 years due to sea level rise.
Chelsea McMaster; Ceramic Artist; Antigua and Barbuda
As a ceramic artist, McMaster will work alongside the island's last remaining traditional potters to learn and preserve their techniques and oral histories. McMaster produces work primarily using coil building and sculpting techniques with low-fire clay and traditional finishes. While conducting research in Seaview Farm, a village with a 200-year-old history of ceramic arts, her project will conclude with a series of workshops to teach interested students and teachers about the craft in efforts to mitigate its decline.
Jamil Wilson; Marine Biology Educator and Researcher; Papua New Guinea
As a marine biology educator and researcher, Wilson will evaluate how a Marine Environmental Education Program in Papua New Guinea (PNG) effectively encourages diverse groups of students to participate in ocean advocacy through educational, cultural, technological and personal experiences. His research aims to increase student participation in ocean advocacy and science, influence better educational design and execution in marine programs, and foster international connections with local PNG students and communities.
Konstantine Vlasis; Environmental Composer and Audio Storyteller; Iceland
As an environmental composer and audio storyteller, Vlasis will produce an immersive audio story called “When Glaciers Sing," which traces the human ecology of glaciers in Iceland through natural sounds, cultural songs, and local voices. As he learns more about Icelandic peoples’ relationship to glaciers, Vlasis aims to uncover untold stories related to the history of these icy landscapes, and the ways that music remains a crucial source for environmental knowledge. His contemporary audio series will resonate a timely story about the meaning of sound, the power of song, and the urgency of listening to glaciers today.
Sateesh Venkatesh; Conservation Behaviorist; Sri Lanka
As a biologist who studies human-wildlife conflict, Venkatesh’s work aims to understand the complex relationship between elephants and farmers in Sri Lanka. Through camera traps, audio recordings and drone mapping, he will demonstrate how a greater understanding of both human and wildlife experiences is essential to developing mutually beneficial sustainable solutions. As populations expand and human and wild spaces mix, Venkatesh believes it is essential we focus on de-escalation and coexistence instead of separation.