July's Grants and Awards

The Paris Photo-Aperture Foundation PhotoBook Awards, Ian Parry Scholarship, Gomma Grant, and Magnum Foundation Fellowship are all currently open for entries. Read our curated awards guide to learn more about them and how they can help further your career.

The Paris Photo-Aperture Foundation PhotoBook Awards, Ian Parry Scholarship, Gomma Grant, and Magnum Foundation Fellowship are all currently open for entries. Read our curated awards guide to learn more about them and how they can help further your career.

Paris Photo - Aperture Foundation PhotoBook Awards / Deadline: 14 September / Entry fee: $30 - $60

Initiated in 2012, the Paris Photo-Aperture Foundation PhotoBook Awards celebrate the photobook’s contribution to the evolving narrative of photography. Photographers, publishers, galleries, and institutions around the world are invited to submit their photobooks into three different categories: The First PhotoBook Prize (for a first self-published book / first limited-edition book); The PhotoBook of the Year Prize (for a book in which the dominant content is photography, whether authored by more than one photographer/artist); and The Photography Catalogue of the Year Prize (for the best exhibition catalogue or museum publication of the year).

The judging will take place in two stages. An initial jury comprised of representatives from both Paris Photo and Aperture Foundation will first convene in New York to select a shortlist in each category. A second, separate jury will then meet in Paris immediately before the inauguration of Paris Photo (8 – 11 November) to select the three winners. All shortlisted books will go on display at Paris Photo and feature in the fall 2018 issue of The PhotoBook Review, published by Aperture Foundation. Following their display during Paris Photo, an exhibition of the thirty shortlisted books will travel to Aperture Gallery in New York and may be exhibited at other venues worldwide.

Entry fees: First PhotoBook, $30 per book; PhotoBook of the Year, $60 for first entry from a given publisher, $30 for each subsequent entry from the same publisher; Photography Catalogue of the Year, $60 for first entry from a given publisher, $30 for each subsequent entry from the same publisher. Deadline: 14 September. For further information, go to picter.com.

Ian Parry Scholarship / Deadline: 27 July / No entry fee

The Ian Parry Scholarship is an annual international photography contest aimed at young, emerging photographers who are either attending a full-time photographic course or are under 24 years of age. This year’s contest is divided into two categories: the Award for Achievement and the Award for Potential, the latter coming with a year-long personal mentorship program with highly respected photographer and previous Ian Parry winner, Marcus Bleasdale.

The 2018 guest judge is Elisabeth Biondi, former Visuals Editor of The New Yorker and Director of Photography at Vanity Fair. She will be joined on the panel by Sir Don McCullin, Aidan Sullivan, and Rebecca McClelland, among others. The entry criteria for both awards is the same and the judges will make their decisions based upon who they feel is striving to create and produce relevant and meaningful photojournalism. Each winner will receive $3,500 towards their chosen project in addition to digital imaging equipment from Canon. World Press Photo will also automatically accept the winner of the Award for Achievement into its final list of nominees for the Joop Swart Masterclass in Amsterdam and the winning work will be displayed in London as part of a large gallery exhibition. Entry is free. The deadline is 27 July. Visit ianparry.org for more information.

Magnum Foundation Fellowship / Deadline: 1 August / No entry fee

Inaugurated in 2011, the Magnum Foundation Fellowship offers mentorship and financial support to photojournalism graduates at a point in their career that is critical to their development as photographers and storytellers. During the fellowship program, which runs for 12 weeks from September through November, fellows produce an in-depth project grounded in New York City that demonstrates a commitment to social issues and community-based work. “Fellows will be encouraged to build relationships with their subjects in the field, build partnerships with relevant organisations, and experiment with new narrative forms and storytelling techniques” say the Foundation. “[They will] receive mentorship and project development support from Magnum staff and extended network throughout the duration of the fellowship.”

In addition to producing a body of work, fellows are expected to make significant contributions to the everyday work done at Magnum Foundation, including research on social issues, exploring emerging technologies and platforms, and multimedia and event production. Successful candidates will receive a stipend of $500 per week ($6,000 total). Entry is free. Applications are due 1 August. More information can be found at magnumfoundation.org/mf-fellowship.

Lucie Photo Book Prize / Deadline: 20 July / $35 - $55

The Lucie Photo Book Prize, organised by Lucie Foundation, looks to support photographers in the production and dissemination of their photobooks. The contest offers two separate awards with a combined prize fund of $5,000: one aimed at photographers, editors, curators or publishers whose book is commercially produced and distributed, and a second for photographers, editors, curators or publishers whose book is published and distributed independently.

The jury this year features many acclaimed names in the industry including Amy Kellner (Associate Photo Editor, The New York Times Magazine), Catherine Edelman (Founder, Catherine Edelman Gallery), David Furst (International Picture Editor for The New York Times), Federica Chiocchetti (Independent Writer, Curator, Lecturer), Jacqueline Bates (Photography Director, The California Sunday Magazine), Karen Marks (Director, Howard Greenberg Gallery), Michael Foley (Founder, Foley Gallery), and Sam Barzilay (Creative Director, United Photo Industries). The top 30 finalists will have their work displayed in New York City in October 2018. Entry fees vary from $35 to $55 depending on the award. An application form and a PDF file of the book must be submitted by 20 July. Go to luciephotobookprize.org to find out more.

Gomma Grant / Early Bird Deadline: 31 August; Final Deadline: 3 November / €15 - €25

The international Gomma Grant is an all-inclusive award aiming to support the production of photographers’ work through cash endowments and other relevant initiatives. Since its creation back in 2004, Gomma has gained a reputation for bringing recognition to undiscovered artists with the jury applying a strict meritocratic approach to judging. “Gomma has always had an out-of-the-box approach and has acquired an autonomous position in the contemporary photography industry” says the award’s editorial team. “Gomma’s staff enjoys entering into uncharted territory to spot fresh, new talent.”

For the 2018 edition, Gomma Grant winners will share between them 50% of all revenue generated from the submissions. In addition to the first, second, and third prizes, the judges will also grant a number of smaller awards including Best Colour Documentary Work, Best Black and White Documentary Work, Best Colour Picture, Best Black and White Picture, Best Daily Life Story, Rising Talent, and a Gomma Prix Award. Photographers are invited to submit 6 to 50 images from an unfinished, ongoing, or completed project in any medium, in any genre (portraiture, documentary, fine art, photojournalism, conceptual, landscape). The early bird deadline (€15 entry fee) is 31 August, while the final deadline (€25 entry fee) is set for 3 November. Learn more and apply now at gommagrant.com.

British Journal of Photography OpenWalls Award / Deadline: 13 September / No entry fee

1854 Media and British Journal of Photography are inviting both emerging and established photographers from all around the globe to submit their photographs for an exhibition at the internationally renowned Galerie Huit Arles, to coincide with Les Rencontres de la Photographie 2019, the world’s most established photo festival. Applicants should respond to the theme Home & Away, with submissions to be judged as single images. “We want you to interpret this theme freely; show us images that capture your sense of belonging, escapism or identity” say BJP. “This is your chance to show your work to thousands of industry leaders, peers and visitors from across the world” they add.

From an initial shortlist of 50 images, 3 finalists will win return flights and accommodation to attend the opening event of the exhibition, where the overall winner will be chosen and announced. Other prizes include a dedicated feature on BJP-Online, extensive press coverage, and a one year complimentary print subscription to British Journal of Photography. The deadline to apply is 13 September. Find out more by visiting openwalls.co.

--------------

ALSO OPEN THIS MONTH:

Pano Awards / Deadline: 10 July / Entry fee: $16 - $22

The Epson International Pano Awards are dedicated to the craft and art of both professional and amateur panoramic photographers. In this, the 9th edition, the total prize pool is worth more than $50,000 and includes $20,000 in cash. In the Open competition (open to all photographers), the winning prize package totals $10,600 and is comprised of a $3,000 monetary endowment, Triple Scoop Music vouchers, and the latest digital printing equipment.

~

Void - Hunger Issue No. 5 Open Call / Deadline: 12 July / No entry fee

Independent publisher and educational platform, Void is calling for entries to the fifth issue of its publishing initiative, Hunger. Artists using the photographic medium are invited to submit a visual response to the theme, A Hunger Artist, an idea inspired by a Franz Kafka short story of the same name. Seven issues of the publication will be released, one every 6 weeks, with each containing two to three invited artists and one selected by Void’s editorial team through open calls. PHmuseum supports this initiative as a media partner and those artists participating in the project will also be presented as part of the PHmuseum online exhibition program in November 2018.

~

Women Photograph Mentorship Program / Deadline: 15 July / No entry fee

The 2018-2019 Women Photograph Mentorship Program pairs 22 industry leaders (11 photographers and 11 photo editors) with 22 early-career photojournalists over the course of 12 months. The mentors include Nina Berman, Verónica Sanchis, Adriana Zehbrauskas, Jehan Jillani, Elaine To, Thea Traff, and Bernadette Tuazon, among others. The initiative is open to women and non-binary photographers with less than five years of professional work experience interested in long-term support.

~

Photo Vogue Festival Exhibition / Deadline: end of July / No entry fee

In November this year, the Italian city of Milan will become a stage for the celebration of photography, with the third edition of Photo Vogue Festival set to bring together leading visual storytellers, the most influential curators, and the most prestigious agencies. Among the highlights will be a special exhibition dedicated to the discovery and appreciation of varying aesthetic models within individual cultures. The works on display will be selected by a jury featuring, among others, Monica Allende, Tasneem Alsultan, Giorgio Armani, James Estrin, Alessia Glaviano, Azu Nwagbogu, Ramón Reverté, and Newsha Tavakolian.

~

Unseen Dummy Award 2018 / Deadline: 10 August / Entry fee: €30

Dutch international photography platform, Unseen and publishing company, Lecturis have come together once again in a creative collaboration to award and showcase the dummies of designers and photographers worldwide. A jury featuring leading industry figures will convene on the opening day of Unseen 2018 (21 - 23 September) and select three runners-up, and one winner, who shall have their book published next year and presented at Unseen 2019.

~

PhotogrVphy Grant / Deadline: 31 August / No entry fee

The annual PhotogrVphy Grant aims to support the work of emerging visual storytellers through cash prizes and exposure to industry professionals. Photographers can submit a project sharing a common theme in one of the five categories, namely Daily Life, Body, Climate, Experimental, and Urban, with one grand prize winner to receive $1,000. The jury this year features 20 names from the world of photography, including Alison Zavos, Rohit Vohra, Steve Bisson, Gianpaolo Arena, Robyn Lange, and Kim Aram.

~

Photo Vogue Festival #AnewRenaissance Open Call / Deadline: End of August / No entry fee

Huawei and Vogue Italia have teamed up to call all photographers to take up the challenge to represent the concept, #AnewRenaissance visually for the upcoming edition of Photo Vogue Festival (November). From now through the end of August, Vogue Italia's photo editors will be scouting on Instagram to award the 50 best photos uploaded featuring the hashtags, #AnewRenaissance and #HUAWEIPVF2018. The winning images will be showcased on vogue.it and five selected photographers will be reporting for Vogue Italia during the Milan Fashion Week.

--------------

Every month we curate a list of what is coming up in the world of photography awards. Aimed at early, mid-career, and professional photographers, this list offers details of the most exciting opportunities. To stay up to date, subscribe to our newsletter by registering your email address in the space at the bottom of this page.

July's Grants and Awards
i

© Michael Christopher Brown, from the book Libyan Sugar (2016 Paris Photo - Aperture Foundation PhotoBook Awards First PhotoBook winner)

© Heba Khamis, from the series Banned Beauty (2017 Ian Parry Scholarship, Commended)
i

© Heba Khamis, from the series Banned Beauty (2017 Ian Parry Scholarship, Commended)

© Cinthya Santos-Briones (2016 Magnum Foundation Fellow)
i

© Cinthya Santos-Briones (2016 Magnum Foundation Fellow)

© Mark Petersen, from the book Political Theatre (2017 Lucie Photo Book Prize winner)
i

© Mark Petersen, from the book Political Theatre (2017 Lucie Photo Book Prize winner)

© Vladimir Vasilev, from the series T(h)races (2017 Gomma Grant 2nd Prize winner)
i

© Vladimir Vasilev, from the series T(h)races (2017 Gomma Grant 2nd Prize winner)

© Nicholas White, from the series Black Dots
i

© Nicholas White, from the series Black Dots

Latest News Items

  • A Guide to April 2024 Photo Awards & Opportunities

  • Join The New PhMuseum 2024/25 Online Masterclasses Program

  • Photobook Review: Ray’s a Laugh by Richard Billingham

  • A Guide To April 2024 Photography Festivals & Exhibitions

  • Photobook Review: Bannkörbe by Aladin Borioli

  • Maria Montes Duran’s Journey Through Latino Heritage in America

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Stay in the loop


We will send you weekly news on contemporary photography. You can change your mind at any time. We will treat your data with respect. For more information please visit our privacy policy. By ticking here, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with them. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.