George Washington University Planet Forward Storyfest Awards 2027 (win a trip to Alaska)

Competition

United States, United States
Apply Before : January 15, 2027

Opportunity ID 295974
Gender Male Female
Language of Instruction English
Application Fee Required No

Opportunity Description

Are you an undergraduate or graduate student passionate about environmental storytelling and climate innovations? Do you want to share your perspective on a global platform and win an expedition to Alaska? The 2027 Planet Forward Storyfest Awards, hosted by The George Washington University, is now accepting submissions.

This annual storytelling contest invites students worldwide to publish compelling narratives on sustainability, climate action, and environmental solutions. Operated in partnership with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, the program will select six winners for an 8-day, 7-night voyage to Alaska’s Inside Passage, Endicott Arm, and Prince Rupert.

Read on to discover the award categories, find out if you qualify, and learn how to submit your original story before the January 15, 2027 deadline.

Quick Overview

Provider	The George Washington University (Planet Forward)
Location	Washington D.C. & Alaska
Program Type	Award / Contest
Study Level	Undergraduate & Graduate Students
Funding	Fully Funded Trip Prize
Number of Awards	6 Winners
Open To	All Nationalities
Deadline	January 15, 2027

Important Dates

Application Opens	May 1, 2026
Application Deadline	January 15, 2027
Finalists Announced	February 23, 2027
Winners Announced	March 16, 2027
Fan Favorite Voting Ends	April 7, 2027
Planet Forward Summit	April 7 – 9, 2027
Expedition Dates	August 6 – 13, 2027

Financial Benefits

If you are selected as one of the six winners, your prize package includes:

An 8-day / 7-night expedition aboard the “Greg Mortimer” from August 6 to August 13, 2027
One double occupancy cabin (shared with another winner of the same gender)
Scheduled meals and basic Wi-Fi on the tour
Guided group travel experience with local experts and expedition staff
On-tour luggage handling and crew gratuities

Note: Prize winners are responsible for their roundtrip airfare to the departure point, visa fees, travel insurance, and passport costs.

Award Categories

Planet Forward will select winners across the following distinct categories:

Best Short Video: 1-8 minutes in length, horizontal (16:9), plus a 50-200 word summary.
Best Social Video: 1-2 minutes in length, vertical (9:16), plus a 50-200 word summary.
Best Written Story: 600-1,000 words, including at least 1 image and primary source material.
Best Multimedia Story: Visual/audio elements paired with a 200-400 word article and 150 dpi photos.
Framing the Future Award: Selected by University staff for outstanding originality and research depth.
Fan Favorite Award: Selected by a majority vote of Planet Forward Summit attendees and public polling.

Story Themes

Your submission must focus on ideas and innovations that can move the planet forward. Accepted topics include:

Food: Feeding the planet, improving growth, reducing waste.
Water: Conservation, access, cleaning technologies.
Energy: Clean energy alternatives and efficiency.
Mobility: Reducing congestion and environmental impact of transit.
The Built Environment: Sustainable architecture, city planning, and materials.
Biodiversity: Ecosystem preservation.
Public Health: Connections between climate change and global health.
Climate Justice: Fair implementation of climate policies across communities.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Storyfest Awards, you must meet all of the following requirements:

Academic Requirements

You must be a currently enrolled post-secondary college or university student (undergraduate or graduate).
Students within 6 months of graduation at the time of entry are also eligible.

General Requirements

You must be at least 18 years old.
Nationality: This contest is open to students globally (all nationalities). International winners must be able to obtain the necessary visas and valid passports.
Submissions must be entirely your own original work.
Generative AI language models cannot be used except for research purposes.
You may enter as an individual or in a team of up to two people (only one designated member will receive the trip).

Required Documents

When preparing your submission, you will need to gather the following elements:

Your completed original piece (Video link, article text, or multimedia file)
High-resolution images (Minimum 150 dpi for photos)
A short written summary matching your category’s specific word count limit
Verified primary sources cited within your text

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for the Storyfest Awards, follow these steps carefully:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can international students apply for the Storyfest Awards?

Yes, the contest is open to enrolled students globally. However, international winners are solely responsible for ensuring they possess a valid passport and can obtain the necessary visas to travel to the United States (for the Summit) and Alaska/Canada for the expedition.

Can I submit multiple stories?

Yes, entrants are allowed a maximum of three story submissions during the application period.

Does the prize cover my airfare to the boat?

No. While the 8-day expedition, cabin, and meals on the boat are fully covered, winners must pay for their roundtrip airfare to the originating point of the voyage, as well as travel insurance and visa fees.

Can I use AI to write my story?

No. Generative AI large language models may only be used for research purposes. All final written work must be authored by the entrant.

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