(Updated August 2024)
Did you know that an editor can help you home in on the right images for contests and grants?
An objective, outside opinion and fresh look at work can help you craft a contest or grant entry that connects with the judges.
I've created contest edits for numerous photographers who went on to win World Press Photo, POYi, Communication Arts, and PDN Photo Annual awards.
Photography Contests and Grants Calendar for 2024
Photography offers many opportunities to showcase your talent and receive support through contests and grants. Below is a comprehensive list of key photography contests and grants for 2024, including specific grants aimed at documentary photographers who are People of Color, Women, or Indigenous.
Top Photography Contests and General Grants for 2024
International Photography Awards (IPA)
Prizes: Up to $12,000 for professionals
Eligibility: Open to photographers of all levels worldwide
Categories: Ranging from fine art to documentary photography
Deadline: January 31, 2024
Details: IPA Website
Sony World Photography Awards
Prizes: Multiple categories with significant media exposure
Eligibility: Open globally with specific categories for youth, students, and professionals
Deadline: Various deadlines for different categories (Professional competition: January 12, 2024; Open competition: January 5, 2024)
Details: Sony World Photography Awards
Monovisions Photography Awards
Prizes: $3,000 for Black and White Series of the Year
Eligibility: Open to black and white photographers at all levels
Deadline: January 21, 2024
Details: Monovisions Awards
Fine Art Photography Awards
Prizes: $5,000 in total cash prizes
Eligibility: Open to all, with categories for both amateurs and professionals
Deadline: February 11, 2024 (Early Bird: October 13, 2023)
Details: Fine Art Photography Awards
Abbey Road Studios Music Photography Awards
Prizes: Mentorship sessions with leading industry figures
Eligibility: Open to all music photographers
Deadline: July 18, 2024
Details: Abbey Road Studios
Getty Images Editorial Grants
Amount: $5,000 to $15,000
Eligibility: Open to emerging photographers and photojournalists
Focus: Supports impactful editorial projects, particularly those highlighting underrepresented communities
Deadline: Typically opens in spring
Details: Getty Images Grants
The Howard Chapnick Grant
Amount: $10,000
Eligibility: Focuses on education, research, and projects promoting social change in photojournalism
Deadline: Spring 2024
Details: W. Eugene Smith Fund
The Magnum Foundation Fund
Amount: Varies per project
Eligibility: Prioritizes photographers of color and those working on projects related to social justice
Deadline: Typically opens in March
Details: Magnum Foundation
National Geographic Storytelling Grants
Amount: Up to $30,000
Eligibility: Open to photographers documenting underrepresented communities or critical global issues
Deadline: Rolling deadlines throughout the year
Details: National Geographic
The Alexia Foundation Grants
Amount: Varies
Eligibility: Supports photographers focusing on social justice and human rights issues
Deadline: Opens in early 2024
Details: Alexia Foundation
Top Grants for Documentary Photographers (People of Color, Women, Indigenous)
Women Photograph Project Grants
Amount: Up to $5,000
Eligibility: Open to women and non-binary documentary photographers
Focus: Supports photographers telling stories about their communities or issues affecting women globally
Deadline: Opens in spring 2024
Details: Women Photograph
The Nat Geo Explorer Grant
Amount: Up to $10,000
Eligibility: Open to early-career photographers who identify as women, Indigenous, or as part of an underrepresented community
Focus: Supports impactful storytelling projects
Deadline: Rolling applications throughout the year
Details: National Geographic Explorers
Indigenous Photograph Annual Grant
Amount: Varies
Eligibility: Indigenous photographers from around the world
Focus: Supports the work of Indigenous photographers documenting their communities and issues relevant to them
Deadline: Typically opens in the fall
Details: Indigenous Photograph
The Visionary Woman Awards
Amount: $5,000
Eligibility: Open to women photographers with a focus on social justice or environmental issues
Focus: Supports projects that address critical issues affecting women and communities of color
Deadline: Summer 2024
Details: Visionary Woman Awards
Native and Indigenous Photographer Fund
Amount: $10,000
Eligibility: Exclusively for Native American, First Nations, and Indigenous photographers
Focus: Supports documentary photography projects that highlight Indigenous experiences and stories
Deadline: Typically opens in the fall
Details: Native Photographers
Black Women Photographers Grant
Amount: $5,000
Eligibility: Open to Black women and non-binary photographers
Focus: Provides funding to help elevate the work of Black women photographers and document their communities
Deadline: Opens in spring 2024
Details: Black Women Photographers
Diverse Photographers Initiative by Adobe
Amount: $10,000
Eligibility: Open to photographers of color, particularly those from underrepresented communities
Focus: Supports creative projects that highlight diversity and social justice
Deadline: Opens in the spring of 2024
Details: Adobe Diversity Initiative
The Serendipity Arles Grant
Amount: €5,000
Eligibility: South Asian women photographers
Focus: Supports creative documentary projects that explore social issues in South Asia
Deadline: Typically opens in late summer
Details: Serendipity Arles Grant
Fellowship for Black Photographers by Light Work
Amount: $10,000
Eligibility: Black photographers working on documentary projects
Focus: Supports emerging and mid-career Black photographers with a focus on documentary work
Deadline: Opens in early 2024
Details: Light Work
The Color Positive Grant
Amount: $7,500
Eligibility: Photographers of color
Focus: Supports documentary photography projects that highlight positive stories from communities of color
Deadline: Opens in the fall
Details: Color Positive Grant
Conclusion
The landscape of photography contests and grants is rich and diverse, with numerous opportunities for photographers of all backgrounds to advance their careers and amplify their voices. For documentary photographers who are People of Color, Women, or Indigenous, these grants provide vital support to tell important stories that might otherwise go unheard. Stay updated with deadlines and apply to those that resonate most with your work and vision.
Explore, create, and submit—2024 could be your year to shine!