WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — The National Geographic Society and the Fulbright Program have announced the five recipients of the 2025 Fulbright-National Geographic Award. The award supports innovative projects that protect the planet’s natural and cultural heritage while engaging communities across the globe.
One of this year’s awardees, cultural anthropologist Amrit Tamang, will lead an ethnographic study in Nepal. His work will document the labor and stories of Indigenous Tamang porters who form the backbone of Nepal’s trekking industry.
Tamang, whose family has a history of portering, hopes to highlight the cultural heritage and challenges of these workers. He plans to share their experiences through narratives, photography, and video. His goal is to bring greater recognition to the vital role of porters in shaping Nepal’s tourism sector while influencing policies that support fair treatment and sustainable development.
“The unique cultural heritage of our community and diverse Himalayan geographies offers an immersive experience for global visitors, and we want to be key partners in sharing it with the world,” Tamang said. “Our community is dedicated to sustainable tourism, and we want to ensure our traditional practices are respected and integrated into any new developments.”
Urban planner Priya Talreja is another standout recipient. She will focus on developing electric vehicle infrastructure in the Azores, an island region of Portugal committed to reaching carbon neutrality by 2050.
Her project will create a geospatial mapping tool to determine the best locations for EV chargers, adapting successful strategies from California to the Azorean context. Talreja will also lead community focus groups, ensuring residents’ needs and perspectives shape the transition to cleaner transportation.
“By combining mapping tools with community voices, we can ensure sustainable mobility that benefits everyone,” Talreja said. Her work could serve as a model for other island communities working toward sustainable transportation.
The other recipients will carry out projects in Malaysia, Canada, and Tanzania.
In Malaysia, conservation ecologist Katie Vyhnal will research parasitic Ophiocordyceps fungi and their ant hosts, commonly known as “zombie ants.” Her findings could lead to discoveries of new antimicrobial agents with potential medical applications.
In Canada, conservationist Kyrin Sandhu-Pollock will work with the Olokhaktomiut Hunters and Trappers Committee in Ulukhaktok. Her project will document Arctic marine soundscapes, blending bioacoustics science with Indigenous Inuvialuit knowledge to study how shipping and industrial activity are changing one of the world’s last quiet ecosystems.
In Tanzania, marine social ecologist Taylor Bratton will investigate the future of the country’s sea cucumber economy. Her project will explore how new international trade rules impact local fishing communities while highlighting the role of women in emerging sea cucumber aquaculture.
“Sea cucumbers are one of the most highly prized and valuable fisheries in the world,” Bratton said. “Through my research, I hope to tell the story of harvesting sea cucumbers and its connection to international trade through the perspective of the traditional fishers.”
Now in its 12th year, the Fulbright-National Geographic Award provides funding and resources to enhance Fulbright projects in conservation, research, education, and storytelling. Each year, up to five individuals are selected for their ability to communicate powerful narratives that inspire global understanding.
Award recipients also become part of the National Geographic Explorer community, gaining access to training, mentorship, and public engagement opportunities. Together, the Fulbright Program and the National Geographic Society amplify their projects through global networks.
By spotlighting cultural resilience in Nepal and sustainable innovation in the Azores, this year’s Fulbright-National Geographic Award winners reflect a shared vision: protecting the planet’s natural and cultural heritage while creating a more sustainable future.
