Applications Open for the Fulbright-National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellowship

Deadline: 11 October 2016

The Fulbright-National Geographic Storytelling Fellowship, a component of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, provides opportunities for U.S. citizens to participate in an academic year of overseas travel and storytelling in one, two, or three countries on a globally significant theme. This Fellowship is made possible through a partnership between the U.S. Department of State and the National Geographic Society. Storytellers publish stories on the Fulbright-National Geographic Stories blog.

Program Structure

• For the 2017-18 competition, the Fulbright-National Geographic Storytelling Fellowship will accept proposals to undertake an in-depth examination of a globally relevant issue.
• Multi-country projects will compare and contrast how an issue or set of issues is experienced across borders.
• Utilizing a variety of storytelling tools – including text, photography, video, audio/podcasts, public speaking, maps, graphic illustrations, and/or social media – Storytellers will  share their stories, and the stories of those they meet, and publish their work on National Geographic platforms, including a dedicated program blog.
• Stories deemed by National Geographic to be of interest or merit may be considered for publication on other National Geographic platforms.

Thematic Areas

Applications for the 2017-2018 academic year will be accepted for the following themes:

• Our Human Story
  • Themes: Culture/Geo-politics, Contemporary Social Issues, Democracy and Human Rights, Religious Freedom
• Critical Species
  • Themes: Conservation of Species, Extinction
• New Frontiers
  • Themes: Innovations in areas of Health, Medicine, Technology, Energy, Economic Development/Prosperity

Eligibility Criteria

• U.S. citizens of all ages and from all backgrounds are eligible to apply.
• Applicants may come from a broad range of fields, a variety of academic and processional backgrounds, and have diverse storytelling experiences.
• Candidates must have completed at least an undergraduate degree by the commencement of the program but may not hold a Ph.D. at the time of application.
• The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated talent for storytelling (including but not limited to publications in print, online or multimedia platforms) and an academic or professional background relevant to their proposed project.
• Applications will be accepted for Fulbright-National Geographic Storytelling Fellowships in any country to which there is an active Fulbright U.S. Student Program with the exception of China.

How to Apply

All application documents must be submitted online via given website.

For more information, please visit Fulbright-National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellowship.