The U.S. Department of State and the National Geographic Society are partnering to launch the inaugural Fulbright-National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellowship competition. This new component of the Fulbright Program will offer up to five awards to U.S. citizens. Over a nine-month period, awardees will create multimedia stories on globally significant social or environmental topics including biodiversity, cities, climate change, cultures, energy, food, oceans, and water.
The fellowship provides opportunities for U.S. citizens to participate in an academic year of overseas travel and digital storytelling in up to three countries on a globally significant social or environmental topic. The deadline to apply is February 28, 2014, at 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
The wide variety of new digital media tools and platforms has created an unprecedented opportunity for people from all disciplines and backgrounds to share observations and personal narratives with global audiences online. These storytelling tools are powerful resources as we seek to expand our knowledge of pressing transnational issues and build ties across cultures.
Through the Fulbright-National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellowship, fellows will undertake an in-depth examination of a globally relevant issue, comparing and contrasting how that issue is experienced across borders. Utilizing a variety of digital storytelling tools, including text, photography, video, audio, graphic illustrations, and/or social media, Fellows will tell their stories, or the stories of those they meet, publishing their work on National Geographic media platforms with the support of National Geographic’s editorial team.
In addition to receiving Fulbright benefits (for travel, stipend, health, etc.), fellows will receive instruction in digital storytelling techniques, including effective blog writing, video production, and photography, by National Geographic staff prior to their departure. Fellows will be paired with one or more National Geographic editors for continued training, editorial direction and mentoring throughout their Fulbright grant period. Fellows will provide material for a blog on the National Geographic website on a frequent and ongoing basis throughout their grant term, and will have the opportunity to develop additional content for use by National Geographic and the Department of State.
For the Fellowship’s inaugural year of 2014, applications will be accepted for the following themes: Biodiversity, Cities, Climate Change, Cultures, Energy, Food, Oceans, and Water.
For more program information and to apply for the Fulbright-National Geographic Fellowship, visit http://us.fulbrightonline.org/fulbright-nat-geo-fellowship.