Eyes Wide Open 1st Photo Book Grant 2024

The Eyes Wide Open 1st Photo Book Bursary program is aimed at photographers who wish to propose a first book project with the support of an independent French publisher.

Overview

Conceived and organized by the Eyes Wide Open association (the cultural production arm of The Eyes) with the support of the French Ministry of Culture and the SAIF, the Eyes Wide Open 1st Photo Book Bursary programme is aimed at photographers who wish to propose a first book project with the support of an independent French publisher.

Practical Info 

The Eyes Wide Open 1st Photo Book Grants program offers to support 3 book projects by a photographer and his/her publisher, each with €5,000. It is divided into 3 categories, each meeting a specific need: SAIF grant for a French photographer or a photographer living in France, a grant dedicated to a woman photographer of any nationality, and a grant for a photographer from a southern region (Africa, Caribbean, Southeast Asia, Latin America, Middle East). The photographers apply directly themselves, in their name. To participate, the author must provide a letter of commitment from a French publisher (non-exhaustive list available on the website). The support of a French publisher is preferred, but not obligatory, only for the grant dedicated to a photographer from a Southern Global territory.

The photographer and their editor will have 18 months to complete the project, which will be finalised by the actual publication of the book (ISBN, availability in bookshops, etc.). Both commit to publishing the book within two years of receiving the grant, at the latest by 31st October 2025. The book may be a monograph or a work on an artistic or documentary project. The publication must have a minimum print run of 500 copies and be distributed in bookshops. The publication must include a copyright agreement between the publisher and the photographer. The grant must be used exclusively to produce the book project submitted.

About Eyes Wide Open Association

Part of The Eyes label, Eyes Wide Open was founded by Véronique Prugnaud and Vincent Marcilhacy in 2022. Its mission is to support and develop artistic projects and actions that are driven by a social, societal and environmental commitment. The 1st photo book grants is the first initiative launched, with the aim of supporting French and international photographers through French publishing.