PhMuseum 2026 Photography Grant

General Info

The PhMuseum Photography Grant is an annual initiative that recognises the importance of photography and visual storytelling.

Over the years it has grown into a leading photography prize, with previous editions having awarded work by photographers like Max Pinckers, Poulomi Basu, Jacob Aue Sobol, Diana Markosian, Alejandro Cartagena, Bieke Depoorter, Salvatore Vitale, Camille Lévêque, and Tomas van Houtryve, among many others. Now in its 14th edition, the initiative is designed to support the production and promotion of visual projects through cash prizes, exhibitions at international festivals, educational activities and exposure on online media.

The theme is open. All approaches are welcome, from traditional documentary photography to experimental ways of telling a story or sharing a concept. Applicants retain full image copyrights. You can see all the prizes and learn how to apply below, while you can check FAQs here.

Thanks for considering this opportunity and best of luck with your applications!

Prizes

$10,000 in cash prizes

1^st Prize

$5,000,
plus projections at Lodz Fotofestiwal 2026, Kranj Foto Fest 2026 and Verzasca Foto Festival 2026, and promotion on the PhMuseum channels.
2^nd Prize

$2,000,
plus projections at Lodz Fotofestiwal 2026, Kranj Foto Fest 2026 and Verzasca Foto Festival 2026, and promotion on the PhMuseum channels.
3^rd Prize

$1,000,
plus projections at Lodz Fotofestiwal 2026, Kranj Foto Fest 2026 and Verzasca Foto Festival 2026, and promotion on the PhMuseum channels.
New Generation

$2,000,
plus projections at Lodz Fotofestiwal 2026, Kranj Foto Fest 2026 and Verzasca Foto Festival 2026, and promotion on the PhMuseum channels.

Open

A Solo Exhibition at PhEST

PhEST's team will select a work from all the submissions to be granted a solo show during the 11th edition of the festival to be held in Monopoli, Italy in September 2026.

Open

Participation in Photo-Match, Lodz Fotofestiwal

Krzysztof Candrowicz and Mafalda Ruao will invite an artist to join Photo-Match at Lodz Fotofestiwal 2026. The organization will cover travel and accommodation to allow the prize recipient to attend the innovative presentation and portfolio review in Lodz, Poland in June 2026.

Open

A Solo Exhibition at PhMuseum Lab

PhMuseum's Director Giuseppe Oliverio will select a project among all of the submissions to be exhibited at PhMuseum Lab, Bologna Italy, in January 2027. The prize includes travel, stay and production costs.

Open

6 Free Online Portfolio Reviews from PhMuseum Education

Our team will select 6 photographers from all the applicants, who can select a free 60-minute online portfolio review with a mentor of their choice from the PhMuseum Education individual program.

Open

Projections at International Photo Festivals

All up to 40 shortlisted projects will be screened at Fotofestiwal 2026, Kranj Foto Fest 2026, and Verzasca Foto Festival 2026 international photography festivals.

Open

Features in PhMuseum's printed annual magazine

All submissions will be eligible for publication in the second edition of PhMuseum's printed annual magazine, to be published in October 2026.

Open

Independent jury

i

Carmen Winant

Artist and the Roy Lichtenstein Endowed Chair of Studio Art at the Ohio State University
i

Rafal Milach

Visual artist, Photographer, Artivist, and Educator
i

Charlotte Cotton

Curator, Writer and Creative Consultant
To be announced

How to apply

1. Create your PhMuseum account

Click on Apply Now button to start your submission and follow the guided process. You’ll be asked to create an account/login.

2. Fill out the form and pay the entry fee

Upload between 5 and 20 photos (JPG or PNG format, maximum 10MB each). The ideal resolution is 72dpi with at least 1000px on the shortest side. If you present more than a project, please create separate submissions.

3. Submit your work before the deadline

Check all the info and submit your project. If you apply before the Early Bird Deadline, you can modify it within 48 hours from that deadline. If you apply later, you can modify it until the Final Deadline. The results will be announced before April. To submit another project, click again on Apply Now.

Remind me of the opening

Past editions

PhMuseum 2025 Photography Grant

The PhMuseum Photography Grant is an annual initiative that recognises the importance of photography and visual storytelling.

VA-M Festival 2025 Photography Open Call

Exhibit your work within the first edition of the Italian Festival dedicated to the concept of province and low density areas.

PhMuseum 2024 Photography Grant

The PhMuseum Photography Grant is an annual initiative that recognises the importance of photography and visual storytelling.

PhMuseum 2023 Photography Grant

Tara Laure Claire receives the First Prize with the project The Studio By Tara Laure Claire (AKA Tara Sood). Joseph Ladron De Guevara is awarded the New Generation Prize with the project Si El Sol Llegara A Oscurecer (y No Brille Más).

PhMuseum 2022 Photography Grant

Miraj Patel receives the First Prize with the project Do You See What I See, When I Look At Me?. Delali Ayivi is awarded the New Generation Prize with the project TogoYeye.

PhMuseum 2021 Photography Grant

Rodrigo Pinheiro and Gal Cipreste Marinelli receives the First Prize with the project GH, Gal And Hiroshima. Marisol Mendez is awarded the New Generation Prize with the project MADRE.

PhMuseum 2020 Photography Grant

Noelle Mason receives the First Prize with the project X-Ray Vision Vs. Invisibility. David Nana Opoku Ansah is awarded the New Generation Prize with the project AREA BOYS & BROTHERHOOD.

PhMuseum 2019 Photography Grant

Nikita Teryoshin receives the First Prize with the project Nothing Personal. Liza Ambrossio is awarded the New Generation Prize with the project The Rage Of Devotion.

PhMuseum 2018 Photography Grant

Poulomi Basu receives the First Prize with the project Centralia. Panos Kefalos is awarded the New Generation Prize with the project Saints.

PhMuseum 2017 Photography Grant

Salvatore Vitale receives the First Prize with the project How To Secure A Country. Karim El Maktafi is awarded the New Generation Prize with the project Hayati.

PhMuseum 2016 Photography Grant

Rasmus Degnbol receives the First Prize with the project Europe's New Borders. Pierre Liebaert is awarded the New Generation Prize with the project Free Now.

PhMuseum 2015 Photography Grant

Tomas Van Houtryve receives the First Prize with the project Blue Sky. Clémentine Schneidermann is awarded the New Generation Prize with the project I Called Her Lisa Marie.

PhMuseum 2014 Photography Grant

Max Pinckers receives the First Prize with the project Will They Sing Like Raindrops Or Leave Me Thirsty. Kate Smuraga is awarded the New Generation Prize with the project Letter From The Quiet Town.

PhMuseum 2013 Photography Grant

Cihad Caner receives the First Prize with the project Remaining. Diana Markosian is awarded the New Generation Prize with the project Goodbye My Chechnya.

General Info

Prizes

Independent jury

Carmen Winant

Rafal Milach

Charlotte Cotton

To be announced

How to apply

1. Create your PhMuseum account

2. Fill out the form and pay the entry fee

3. Submit your work before the deadline

Past editions

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