March Awards Guide

Leica Oskar Barnack Award, Manuel Rivera-Ortiz Foundation Documentary Photography Prize and Aaron Siskind Foundation Individual Photographer's Fellowship are among the most exciting opportunities open for entries this month. Learn more here and apply now.

Leica Oskar Barnack Award, Manuel Rivera-Ortiz Foundation Documentary Photography Prize and Aaron Siskind Foundation Individual Photographer's Fellowship are among the most exciting opportunities open for entries this month. Learn more here and apply now.

Leica Oskar Barnack Award


© JH Engström. (Winner of the 2015 Leica Oskar Barnack Award)

The Leica Oskar Barnack Award is aimed at professional photographers exhibiting cutting-edge, in-depth photojournalism. Open for entry since March 1st, submissions must be comprised of a single series of images, in which the photographer has explored the relationship between man and nature “with an acute vision and contemporary visual style – creative, groundbreaking and innovative.” The winner will pick up a cash prize of €25,000 in addition to a Leica M camera and lens. Applications must be sent online. Deadline: April 15th.

Leica Oskar Barnack Newcomer Award

The mission of the Leica Oskar Barnack Newcomer Award is to recognize the talents of emerging photographers. Much like the professional contest, the international jury will be looking for work that examines – in graphic form – the complex interaction between mankind and his environment. Applicants must be 25 years or younger. The top prize includes €10,000 in cash and a Leica M camera and lens, also worth €10,000. Applications must be sent online. Deadline: April 15th.

Manuel Rivera-Ortiz Foundation Documentary Photography Prize

Pablo Ernesto Piovano. (2015 Manuel Rivera-Ortiz Foundation Documentary Photography Prize winner)

Established to encourage the evolution of humanity through editorial photography, the Manuel Rivera-Ortiz Foundation for Documentary Photography and Film looks to critically investigate themes central to modern existence, including human unrest, famine, disease, politics, war, uprisings, injustice and triumph. The two winners (one for photography and one for film) will be announced during the 2016 Les Recontres d’Arles, France, and they will each collect US$5,000. Deadline: March 31st.

Aaron Siskind Foundation Individual Photographer's Fellowship

Every year, the Aaron Siskind Foundation offers a series of Individual Photographer’s Fellowships, each worth US$10,000. Aimed at artists using still-photography based media, the grants are designed to support professionals in the field displaying excellence and accomplishment. The award is only open to citizens and legal permanent residents of the United States. Entry fee: US$20. Application Period: from March 1st to May 30th.

Fotobook Festival Kassel Dummy Award

. (Winner of the 2015 Fotobook Festival Kassel Dummy Award)

Now in its 8th year, the Fotobookfestival Kassel is calling all photographers – emerging and established – to submit their unpublished photobooks for a travelling exhibition. A pre-jury will select a shortlist of the best 50, which will go on display at events in Beijing, Dublin, Madrid, Oslo, and Aarhus, among many others. The winning entry will be published in collaboration with k-books. Any photographer may submit their dummy. Registration: open now through April 15th.

Foam Talent Open Call

The annual FOAM Talent Call is a highly coveted competition for young photographers (between the ages of 18 and 35) looking for a springboard from which to launch their career. The winners receive multiple rewards, namely a large outdoor exhibition at Unseen Photo Fair, free access to a host of symposiums and masterclasses, and international exposure through the FOAM Magazine’s Talent issue. Deadline: March 20th.

Cortona On The Move - OFF Circuit Award

The Cortona On The Move OFF Circuit program offers developing talents an opportunity to showcase their work at one of the world’s most prominent photography festivals. A jury comprised of Arianna Rinaldo and fellow members of the ONTHEMOVE Association will select a total of 15 projects for display: 5 for exhibition, and 10 for projection at one of inauguration evenings. The contest is open to photographers of all ages, gender and nationality. Entry is free of charge. Deadline: March 31st.

BMW Young Photographer-in-Residence in association with BMW Art & Culture

. (2015 BMW Young Photographer-in-Residence)

Set up to foster and expose the work of young photographers, the BMW Young Photographer-in-Residence program at the Musée Nicéphore Niépce offers “exceptional levels of visibility among both professionals and the general public”. One selected artist will enjoy a three month tenure in Chalon-sur-Saône, where they can work exclusively on a photographic project with access to a host of research and production facilities. The recipient will receive a grant of €6,000 and all accommodation costs will be covered. A collection of the work created during the residency will be exhibited at Les Rencontres d’Arles and Paris Photo. Deadline: applications should be sent by post to the Musée Nicéphore Niépce before April 15th.

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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.

© JH Engström. (Winner of the 2015 Leica Oskar Barnack Award)
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© JH Engström. (Winner of the 2015 Leica Oskar Barnack Award)

© Wiktoria Wojciechowska. (Winner of the 2015 Leica Oskar Barnack Newcomer Award)
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© Wiktoria Wojciechowska. (Winner of the 2015 Leica Oskar Barnack Newcomer Award)

©
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©

© Juan Arredondo. (Recipient of a 2015 Aaron Siskind Foundation Individual Photographer's Fellowship)
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© Juan Arredondo. (Recipient of a 2015 Aaron Siskind Foundation Individual Photographer's Fellowship)

Photo from the book of © Jan McCullough
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Photo from the book of © Jan McCullough

© Dominic Hawgood. (Foam Talent 2015)
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© Dominic Hawgood. (Foam Talent 2015)

© Marika Dee. (2015 OFF Circuit Award Winner)
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© Marika Dee. (2015 OFF Circuit Award Winner)

© Alinka Echeverria
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© Alinka Echeverria

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