November's Grants and Awards

To stay up to date with the latest opportunities open for entry, read our November awards guide, featuring the San Jose Foto Open Call, the British Journal of Photography International Photography Award, and Magnum Foundation's Photography and Social Justice Program, among many more.

To stay up to date with the latest opportunities open for entry, read our November awards guide, featuring the San Jose Foto Open Call, the British Journal of Photography International Photography Award, and Magnum Foundation's Photography and Social Justice Program, among many more.

San Jose Foto Open Call

To be held from 6 through 8 April next year, San José Foto is a space for reflection, meeting and the dissemination of contemporary photographic production in the city of San José, Uruguay. From an open perspective to all photographic practices, the festival intends to explore different visual representations related to the theme, Links.

The open call for projects to feature in the main exhibition will be juried by an international panel composed of Gisela Volá (Photographer, teacher and curator), Gabriela Rufener (Director of WHAT Magazine), Nicolás Janowski (PHmuseum and San José Foto 2018 curator), and Giuseppe Oliverio (PHmuseum director). The judges will also select the winners of two competitions, namely the PHmuseum - San José Foto Award, a US$2,000 endowment to be given to the best project from the submissions, and the EFTI - San José Foto Award, an education grant with the program V.E.N (Ven. Entra. Narra) at EFTI International School (Madrid), valued at €3,000.

The entry period is open until 22 November. Each project has a registration fee of US$15. To learn more and apply, visit sanjosefoto.uy/en/international-open-call.

British Journal of Photography International Photography Award

Now in its 12th year, the British Journal of Photography International Photography Award has established itself as an important gateway into the photographic community.

This year, one grand prize winner will be selected by a panel of industry experts to receive a solo showcase at TJ Boulting, an innovative gallery in the heart of London, plus a £5,000 production grant from the UK’s leading pro-lab, Metro Imaging. The jury for this edition is comprised of Fariba Farshad (Founding Director, Photo London), Simon Bainbridge (Editorial Director, BJP), Mark Sealy MBE (Director, Autograph), Alona Pardo (Curator, Barbican), Fiona Rogers (Business Development Manager, Magnum Photos), and Hannah Watson (Director, TJ Boulting). More judges are to be announced soon.

Additional awards include coverage from British Journal of Photography across their print and online channels, and an all-expenses paid trip with VIP access to, and promotion at, the UK’s biggest international photography fair, Photo London. Photographers may enter projects on any topic, shot in any format or camera model, on film or digital. The closing date for entries is 12 December. Entry fees: one series, £49; two series, £59. For further information, go to bjpipa.com.

Magnum Foundation's Photography and Social Justice Program

Magnum Foundation’s Photography and Social Justice Program aims to expand diversity and creativity in the field of documentary photography through both capacity-building and critical explorations of photography and social change.

The six-month program, featuring online seminars and training sessions at CUNY’s Graduate School of Journalism, is designed to support early-career photographers, or individuals trained in aligned disciplines, who are motivated to deepen their engagement with photography and visual storytelling. During the program, fellows will produce a body of work in their home communities that challenges injustice and pursues social equality.

“The Photography and Social Justice Program is designed to prepare our fellows to be effective and creative leaders” says the Magnum Foundation. “Our hope is that [they] become models and resources for other practitioners, and that they cultivate strength and support through their international colleagues.” Magnum Foundation will cover the cost of travel and room and board for the sessions in New York City, and all fellows will receive a modest stipend to support the production of their projects. The submission deadline is 30 November. Find out more at magnumfoundation.org/socialjustice.

Sony World Photography Awards

Free to enter and open to all photographers, the Sony World Photography Awards are an authoritative voice in the photographic industry, offering its winning, shortlisted, and commended photographers exposure to many of the industry’s leading names and institutions.

The awards are comprised of four competitions, namely Professional, Open, Youth, and Student Focus. At the pinnacle of the Professional contest is the title, Photographer of the Year, one of the most distinguished and highly regarded awards in photography. A total prize fund of US$30,000 plus the latest Sony digital imaging equipment is shared between the winners.

The 2018 jury features Naomi Cass (Director, Centre for Contemporary Photography, Australia), Sue Davies OBE (Founder, The Photographers’ Gallery) Gareth Harris (Chief Contributing Editor, The Art Newspaper), Dewi Lewis (Publisher, Dewi Lewis Publishing), and Philip Tinari (Director, Ullens Center for Contemporary Art). Mike Trow (Picture Editor, British Vogue), Reiner Opoku (International Art Agent), and Zelda Cheatle (Curator) are the Chairs of the Professional, Student Focus, and Open and Youth awards respectively.

The contest deadlines are: Open and Youth, 4 January; Student Focus, 4 December; and Professional, 11 January. Learn more and submit your work at worldphoto.org.

Reuters Photojournalism Grant

Reuters, the world’s largest international multimedia news provider, has launched a new grant that aims to develop a diverse new generation of young photojournalists.

Up to eight grants - each worth US$5,000 - will be awarded to photojournalists or students of photojournalism interested in working on assignments that tell original human stories from their locations and communities anywhere in the globe. Applicants do not need to be professional photojournalists, but must demonstrate an ability to successfully conceive and complete their proposed project.

Images taken by grant recipients will be distributed globally on Reuters’ platforms and Yannis Behrakis, a Reuters photojournalist and the Senior Editor of Special Projects, will work with the winners, providing advice and planning assistance. “Reuters is keen to recruit diverse candidates from all backgrounds and we are excited to work with emerging talents who can tell human stories from new perspectives”, said Reuters Global Editor of Video and Pictures, John Pullman. “We look forward to reviewing the submitted applications.” Applications close on 10 November. For full details of how to apply, click here.

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ALSO OPEN THIS MONTH:

MedPhoto Award

As part of the MedPhoto Festival, Greece, the MedPhoto Award aims to promote the work of emerging photographers. The €3,000 prize will be granted to one photography project, either completed or in-progress, by a jury comprised of David Campany (Photographer), Laura Serani (Curator), Julian Baron (Photographer), Aliki Tsirgialou (Director of Photography Archives, Benaki Museum), Yorgos Karailias (Photographer), and Marina Paulenka (Founder of Organ Vida Festival). Deadline: 10 December.

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International Photographer of the Year

The International Photographer of the Year award supports artists in the development and dissemination of their work. All overall winners, category winners, and those who are commended will have their work showcased to a global audience by the IPOTY media partners. Two winners of the Professional Grand Prize and Amateur Grand Prize will receive US$2,500 and US$1,500 respectively. Deadline: 10 December.

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FotoEvidence Book Award with World Press Photo

The annual FotoEvidence Book Award recognises one photographer demonstrating determination and bravery in the pursuit of social justice. The selected project is published as part of a FotoEvidence series of photobooks dedicated to the work of photographers, whose commitment and courage deliver painful truths, creating awareness of unacceptable violations of human dignity. Deadline: 15 December.

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Luis Valtueña International Humanitarian Photography Award

The Luis Valtueña International Humanitarian Photography Award strives to raise awareness of the realities facing vulnerable communities suffering from human rights abuses across the world. The winner will receive a grant of €6,000 to develop a photography project composed of at least 50 photos and a 30 minute video related to the work of MdM-Spain, whether in Spain or in other countries where the organisation is undertaking humanitarian action or international cooperation programs. Deadline: 10 November.

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TheDocumentaryProjectFund

TheDocumentaryProjectFund was created to ensure that photographers who are committed to telling stories in their communities have the backing needed to do so. Two prizes will be granted this year: the Established Artist Award (US$5,000), open to anyone working with any topic local to the photographer, and the Emerging Vision Award (US$3,500), aimed at new or transitioning photographers. Deadline: 13 November.

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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.

© Nicolas Wormull, from the series, Chocolate On My Jeans (2016 exhibitor)
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© Nicolas Wormull, from the series, Chocolate On My Jeans (2016 exhibitor)

© Juno Calypso, from the series, The Honeymoon (2016 winner)
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© Juno Calypso, from the series, The Honeymoon (2016 winner)

© Tako Robakidze (2017 grantee)
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© Tako Robakidze (2017 grantee)

© Asger Ladefoged (shortlisted in the Professional Current Affairs category, 2017)
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© Asger Ladefoged (shortlisted in the Professional Current Affairs category, 2017)

© Yannis Behrakis
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© Yannis Behrakis

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