October Awards Guide

The Gomma Photography Grant, Fulbright-National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellowship, The Arnold Newman Prize, and the 8th Carmignac Photojournalism Award are among the competitions with deadlines approaching in October. Read on to learn all about them.

The Gomma Photography Grant, Fulbright-National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellowship, The Arnold Newman Prize, and the 8th Carmignac Photojournalism Award are among the competitions with deadlines approaching in October. Read on to learn all about them.

Gomma Photography Grant 2016

Launched back in 2014, the Gomma Photography Grant is an all-inclusive award aimed at both emerging and established photographers. Gomma prides itself on bringing recognition to undiscovered artists and the judges apply a “strict meritocratic” attitude when reviewing the submissions, analyzing the quality of the work rather than the reputation of the author. “Gomma has always had an out-of-the-box approach and has acquired an autonomous position in the contemporary photography industry” say the organizers. “Gomma's editorial staff enjoys entering into uncharted territory to spot fresh, new talent.” PHmuseum CEO and founder, Giuseppe Oliverio is a member of the jury this year and he is joined by other esteemed industry professionals including Yumi Goto (Founder of the Reminders Project); Tom Griggs (Editor of Fototazo); Michael Itkoff (Co-founder of Daylight); Nobuhiro Kobayashi (Antenne Books) and Diane Smyth (Executive Editor of The British Journal of Photography). In addition to a €1000 cash prize, the winner will have their work featured on PHmuseum and published in the Gomma magazine. Final deadline, October 31st. Apply here.

Fulbright-National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellowship

The Fulbright-National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellowship offers an opportunity for U.S. citizens to engage in an academic year of travel and storytelling in up to three countries of choice. For the 2017/2018 program, proposals must undertake a comprehensive examination of a globally significant issue that utilizes a mixture of storytelling practices. “The wide variety of new digital media tools and platforms has created an unprecedented opportunity for people from all disciplines and backgrounds to share observations and personal narratives with global audiences online” explain the competition co-ordinators. “These storytelling tools are powerful resources as we seek to expand our knowledge of pressing global issues and build ties across cultures.” Applications will be accepted based on the following themes: Our Human Story (Culture/Geo-politics, Contemporary Social Issues, Democracy and Human Rights, Religious Freedom); Critical Species (Conservation of Species, Extinction); and New Frontiers (Innovations in areas of Health, Medicine, Technology, Energy, Economic Development/Prosperity). In addition to receiving Fulbright benefits (travel, stipend, and health insurance), fellows will also enjoy ongoing editorial mentorship from National Geographic. Deadline: October 11, 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

The Arnold Newman Prize

Established by the Arnold and Augusta Newman Foundation in 2009, the Arnold Newman Prize annually awards a photographer whose work demonstrates a compelling new vision in the genre of portraiture. Arnold Newman himself explored the boundaries of the medium and embodied the very idea of innovation – “he was often heard to say ‘we make photographs with our hearts and with our minds’” declares the foundation. It is with these guiding principles that the prize aims to help a photographer launch the next phase of their career. The winner will receive $20,000 and two exhibitions: one in New York City and one at the PhoPa Gallery in Portland, Maine. Applicants must submit twelve photographs that together represent a cohesive artistic outlook, and a 500 word statement that addresses how the award would make a difference their practice. Entry fee: $55. Deadline: October 14.

8th Carmignac Photojournalism Award

The Carmignac Foundation launched the Carmignac Photojournalism Award in 2009 with the aim of supporting and celebrating photojournalism. The theme of the 8th edition is Slavery and the Trafficking of Women. “The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that there are more than 2.5 million victims of modern day slavery, and women make up the majority of this number” explain the organizers. “According to Amnesty International, women represent 80% of the victims of human trafficking, of whom nearly 50% are minors. The types of exploitation are numerous: sexual, forced labor, domestic slavery…” they add. This award is dedicated to making these forms of modern day slavery visible by supporting the production of a body of work that has the potential power to become a tool for reflection, and concrete change, in the fight against the trafficking of women. A pre-selection jury will shortlist 12 – 15 submissions, from which a panel comprised of Elizabeth Avedon (independent curator); Francesca Fabiani (Italian Ministry of Culture); Thierry Grillet, (Chief Curator of BNF); Olivier Laurent (Editor-in-chief, Time Lightbox), Élisabeth Quin, (journalist and writer), and Narciso Contreras (Laureate of the 7th edition) will pick the winning photographer. Submission Deadline: October 16 at midnight (GMT).

Lucas Dolega Award

The Lucas Dolega Award was inaugurated in 2011 to honor and support photojournalists who have been working in extreme difficulty and risk their lives for the freedom of information. Open to all professional freelance photographers, without age or country restrictions, participants will have to present a report on the coverage of any event relevant to the defense of freedoms and democracy, a conflict (civil or military wars, riots, attacks, or public demonstrations), a revolution, a natural or sanitary disaster, and/or their consequences on civil populations. The award comes with an endowment by Olympus of €10,000, a publication in the Reporters without borders album, and an exhibition in Paris. Application is free. Deadline: October 30.

FELIFA FoLa International Prize 2016

Photographers and editors from around the world are invited to submit their photobooks (published in 2015 or 2016) to the FELIFA FoLa International Prize. Selected books will be exhibited at the 15th edition of FELIFA Photobook Fair in late November and the best publication – judged to be the ‘best editorial work’ – will receive a monetary award of $2,000. Books published by independent and large publishing houses, books published by institutions, and self-published editions of no less than 50 copies are all eligible for the prize. Jury members include Mexican photographer, Pablo Ortiz Monasterio; Argentine film director, Lucrecia Martel; and Chilean photographer and editor, Luis Weinstein. Deadline: November 12.

FELIFA and FoLa are also concurrently running a regional competition for authors in Latin American countries. The winning artist will have 300 first edition copies of their book published in collaboration with Editorial La Luminosa. The panel of jurors includes PHM curator Nicolas Janowski, Argentine writer and actress Rosario Bléfari, and Uruguayan graphic designer Andrés Cribari. Deadline: November 1. 

Prix HSBC pour la Photographie

Created in 1995, the Prix HSBC pour la Photographie annually supports two emerging, unrecognized photographic talents, helping them to develop and disseminate their work. The prize promotes its laureates by co-publishing a monograph in collaboration with Actes Sud; organizing exhibitions in 5 cultural institutions internationally; assisting in the production of a new series (to be displayed in the 5th show); and guaranteeing the acquisition of 6 works per Laureate by HSBC France to add to its private photography collection. The contest is aimed at photographers whom: are contemporary and living, regardless of their age or nationality; work on representations of reality (no theme, approach or method of treatment imposed); have never published a Monograph (with ISBN Number). To participate, applicants must send 5 unframed photographs, a text presentation, and a short biography. The 2017 competition is open until the 31st October 2016.

LensCulture Emerging Talent Awards

The LensCulture Emerging Talent Awards are dedicated to discovering and promoting the work of early careers photographers. A jury featuring Michael Famighetti (Editor, Aperture Magazine), Louise Clements (Artistic Director, FORMAT Photography Festival), Xavier Soule (President, Agence VU’), Mutsuko Ota (Editorial Director, IMA Magazine), Evan Pricco (Editor-in-Chief, Juxtapoz Magazine), and Jim Casper (Editor-in-Chief, LensCulture) will select 50 “outstanding photographers – from all cultures, all points of view, with no age limit.” Prizes include a digital gallery exhibition at the International Center of Photography, $20,000 in grants, projections at over 50 photography festivals, featured articles on LensCulture, and inclusion in the upcoming photobook The Best of LensCulture Today: 150 Contemporary Photographers. Deadline: October 18.

Philip Jones Griffiths Award

Back in 2000, the late Magnum photojournalist Philip Jones Griffiths set up the Philip Jones Griffiths Foundation to inspire future generations of photographers. This award is part of his mission; to help photojournalists cover the important, meaningful stories of our generation. The prize fund of £10,000 must be used to complete a series of work that focuses on issues of social and political importance. The competition will this year once again be judged by a panel of experts featuring Chien-Chi Chang (Magnum photographer), Elizabeth Krist (a long-time photo editor with National Geographic), Karen Mullarkey (photo editor), Hannah Watson (Director of Trolley Books and TJ Boulting Gallery), and Katherine Holden (Philip's daughter and a Trustee of the Foundation). The award is global, and open to photographers from any country who have already completed a significant body of work. The application materials, which include a sample of images, a proposed project brief, and a biography, should be sent by October 10th. Apply here.

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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.

© Javier Arcenillas, from the series Red Note (Winner of the 2015 Gomma Photography Grant)
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© Javier Arcenillas, from the series Red Note (Winner of the 2015 Gomma Photography Grant)

© Christiana Botic (2015/2016 Fulbright-National Geographic Fellow)
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© Christiana Botic (2015/2016 Fulbright-National Geographic Fellow)

© Sian Davey, from the series Looking for Alice (Winner of the 2016 Arnold Newman Prize)
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© Sian Davey, from the series Looking for Alice (Winner of the 2016 Arnold Newman Prize)

© Narciso Contreras (Winner of the 7th Carmignac Photojournalism Award)
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© Narciso Contreras (Winner of the 7th Carmignac Photojournalism Award)

© Hashem Shakeri, from the series Iran, Multi Piece Identity (Winner of the 2016 Lucas Dolega Award)
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© Hashem Shakeri, from the series Iran, Multi Piece Identity (Winner of the 2016 Lucas Dolega Award)

© Pablo Ortiz Monasterio
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© Pablo Ortiz Monasterio

© Christian Vium, from the series The Nomadic City (2016 Laureate)
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© Christian Vium, from the series The Nomadic City (2016 Laureate)

© Sara Lewkowicz (2015 LensCulture Emerging Talent Award Winner)
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© Sara Lewkowicz (2015 LensCulture Emerging Talent Award Winner)

© Philip Jones Griffiths. South Vietnam
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© Philip Jones Griffiths. South Vietnam

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