Fulbright-National Geographic Award

Fulbright-National Geographic Award is sponsored by Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State. Provides opportunities for selected Fulbright U. S.

Student grantees to participate in an academic year of storytelling on a globally significant theme, with training and support.

US Fulbright Program - Fulbright-National Geographic Award The 2027-2028 Competition is now open . Start an application .

US Fulbright Program - Fulbright-National Geographic Award English Teaching Assistant Awards Fulbright-National Geographic Award Program Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships in Public Health Search for a Fulbright Program Adviser Study/Research: Creative & Performing Arts Fulbright-National Geographic Award Program Fulbright Online Application 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 science, 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 2027 for the 2027-2028 competition.

Semi-finalists who indicated their interest in applying to the Fulbright-National Geographic Award Program in their application will receive instructions to submit additional materials for the Fulbright-National Geographic Award opportunity in late January/early February following receipt of Semi-Finalist notifications. View FAQs and access information on the award program application.

Current Fulbright-National Geographic Award Recipients Amrit Tamang; Cultural Anthropologist; Nepal Amrit Tamang will conduct an ethnographic study of the labor and migration experiences of Indigenous Tamang porters in Nepal’s trekking industry. His project will describe the contributions and historical realities of these porters, who form the backbone of the industry.

Tamang, himself the son of a porter, seeks to bridge academic research and policy with porters’ narratives, photographs, and short videos that describe their vital role in Nepali tourism. Katie Vyhnal; Mycologist; Malaysia Katie Vyhnal will research parasitic Ophiocordyceps fungi and their ant hosts, commonly known as “zombie ants.

” Her research will involve field expeditions to Mulu National Park to collect specimens, identify both ant and fungal species, and determine if a dominant host species exists. Vyhnal’s research holds potential for discovering new antimicrobial agents from these fungi, contributing to future medical advancements.

Priya Talreja; Urban Planner; Azores, Portugal Priya Talreja will focus on developing electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure in the Azores islands of Portugal. Her project will develop a geospatial mapping tool to identify optimal EV charger locations. Talreja will collaborate with policymakers and community members to develop strategies for EV access that can be exported to other places in the world.

Taylor Bratton; Marine Conservationist; Tanzania Taylor Bratton will investigate the future of Tanzania’s sea cucumber economy, focusing on the impacts of recent CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species) listings on local livelihoods and trade. Her project will combine research with photo-based storytelling to document how these new regulations reshape local dynamics.

Bratton will also explore Tanzania’s pioneering solutions in sea cucumber aquaculture, particularly how new opportunities are benefiting women in coastal communities.

Kyrin Pollock; Arctic Marine Soundscape Researcher; Canada Kyrin Pollock’s research focuses on the Arctic’s wild soundscape and how it is affected by the increasing industrial noise of propellers, engines, seismic airgun blasts, drilling, and oil and gas exploration. Her work aims to integrate Inuvialuit knowledge with marine conservation to address the impacts of noise on marine life, especially bowhead whales.

She will co-develop a participatory course with the Olokhaktomiut Hunters and Trappers Committee (OHTC) in Ulukhaktok.