The Planet Forward Storyfest Awards celebrate compelling stories about our changing planet and innovative solutions for its sustainability. From climate justice to conservation, rising sea levels to heat waves, and the ongoing pandemic to plastic pollution, Planet Forward seeks stories that showcase people, ideas, and innovations shaping a greener future.

The Planet Forward encourages students to share stories that inspire, motivate, and drive change. Additionally, convincing, thought-provoking, vibrantly stimulating, and memorable stories that have an impact and are fun are most welcome.

The organizer welcomes journalism, film, and media program students and individuals without official media affiliation or expertise to enter Storyfest.

Key Details

• Submission Deadline: February 23, 2026 (11:59 PM EST)
• Finalists Announcement: March 3, 2026
• Finalist Essay due: March 20, 2026, 11:59 pm ET.
• Winners Announcement at the Planet Forward Summit: April 17, 2026
• Organizer: Planet Forward
• Winners: Six winners
• Focus Area: Environment and Sustainability
• Eligible Country: All

Award Categories

Each submission must fit one category below and meet its format requirements:

Best Short Video

• Length: 1–8 minutes, HD audio and video
• Include a 50–200-word article describing the video (no transcript)
• Upload to YouTube or Vimeo
• Documentaries or long podcasts must submit a trailer within the time limit

Best Social Video

• Length: 30–90 seconds, HD audio and video
• Vertical format (9:16)
• Include a 50–200-word article
• Upload to YouTube or Vimeo

Best Written Story

• Length: 600–1,000 words
• Include at least one image (preferably original)
• Must use primary source material (e.g., interviews, surveys, reports)

Best Multimedia Story

• Created by the entrant using mixed media (text, photos, audio, video, music)
• Photos: 150 dpi minimum with captions (up to 200 words each)
• Include a 200–400-word article summarizing the submission
• Adobe Express or similar entries must include an embed code, a 100–200-word summary, and one featured image

Framing the Future Award

• Open to all entrants
• Selected by university staff for originality, research depth, data use, and presentation quality

Fan Favorite Award

• Open to all finalists
• Chosen by public vote at the 2026 Planet Forward Summit and on social media
• Voting closes April 16, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST

Storyfest Awards Topics

The Planet Forward seeks stories about ideas and innovations that can move the planet forward. Misunderstood stories and lesser-known ideas, individuals, and accomplishments that have the potential to make a difference, inform, and inspire are welcome.

Applicants can explore the following topics and reflect on their studies, research, work, experience, or dreams:

Food:

• How can we grow better food?
• What can we do to stop wasting so much of it?

Water:

• How should we use, conserve, and clean water?
• How can we get water to places that don’t have enough?

Energy:

• What are new ways to get energy?
• How can we make energy cleaner and use it more efficiently?

Mobility:

• What’s a better way to get around and reduce congestion?
• How can we minimize the impact on the environment and climate?

Built Environment:

• How should we build for the future?
• What are new materials, technologies, or designs for better homes, offices, and neighborhoods?
• How has the pandemic changed our view of city life?

Biodiversity:

• How do we preserve and foster vital ecosystems?

Public Health:

• What impact and lessons can the environmental movement take from the pandemic?
• How are climate change and the pandemic connected, and what can we learn?

Climate Justice:

• How can we implement fair and equal climate policies?
• What initiatives can prevent discrimination in systems perpetuating climate change?

Grant Prize and Award

Each winner receives a fully hosted National Geographic expedition valued at approximately USD $20,069.

Grand Prize

• 10-day / 9-night National Geographic–Lindblad Expeditions voyage
• Destination: Southeast Greenland – Exploring at the Edge of the Ice Cap
• Dates: July 18–27, 2026
• Ship: National Geographic Endurance

 What the Prize Includes:

• 9 nights onboard accommodation
• Shared double-occupancy cabin (same gender, cabin category assigned)
• All scheduled meals
• Guided expedition activities
• Expert-led programming and expedition staff
• Crew gratuities
• On-tour luggage handling
• Alcoholic beverages (excluding premium brands)
• Basic Wi-Fi access

 What the Prize Does NOT Include (Winner Pays)

• International and domestic airfare
• Ground transportation to/from airports
• Travel or trip-cancellation insurance
• Visa, passport, and customs fees
• Voyage taxes
• Optional activities, extra meals, baggage fees
• Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, calls, spa services)
• All federal, state, and local taxes

Selection Process

The selection procedure is as follows:

• Winners choose either the Galápagos or Iceland through a survey.
• Planet Forward considers winners’ schools and research interests.
• Winners can’t request specific trips after Planet Forward announces selections.

Judging Criteria

Storyfest entries are evaluated across six key areas:

• Creativity and effectiveness of the chosen format
• Quality of writing, storytelling, and technical production
• Strength and credibility of sources and documentation
• Factual accuracy, attribution, and depth of research
• Overall storytelling impact
• Relevance of personal insights shared in the Finalist Essay

All submissions are reviewed by Planet Forward experts, with winners selected by an independent judging panel.

Submission Process for the Planet Forward Storyfest Awards

While applying for the Planet Forward Storyfest Awards, please consider these steps:

• Step 1: Check the Official Rules, log in, or create a new account on PlanetForward.org.
• Step 2: Create your story on the Planet Forward website linked below.
• Step 3: At the bottom of the page, mark the “This is a Storyfest entry” checkbox. Answer the entry form questions.
• Step 4: Change your story status to “Needs Review” and then save it.

Submit Now

Please visit the official website of the Planet Forward for detailed information about the Planet Forward Storyfest Awards.

Check More Awards:

World Habitat Awards 2026 for Housing Projects ( £10,000 and gold medals)

Human Rights Essay Award 2026 for Law Graduates in American University, Washington

Georg Forster Research Award for Researchers from Developing & Transition Countries (€60,000)