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 curated list of key photography contests and grants for 2024, including specific grants aimed at documentary photographers who are People of Color, Women, or Indigenous.

Major International Grants

Getty Images Editorial Grant

Amount: $5,000 to $15,000
Focus: Long-term editorial projects, particularly those highlighting underrepresented communities and untold stories
Eligibility: Open to photojournalists worldwide, with emphasis on emerging photographers
Deadline: April 2025
URL: https://grants.gettyimages.com/editorial-grants

Magnum Foundation Fund

Amount: Project-based funding (varies)
Focus: In-depth documentary projects addressing critical social issues
Eligibility: Priority given to photographers from underrepresented regions and communities
Deadline: March 2025
URL: https://www.magnumfoundation.org/programs
Note: Particularly supportive of innovative approaches to documentary storytelling

National Geographic Storytelling Grants

Amount: Up to $30,000
Focus: Projects documenting cultures, species, and critical issues facing our world
Eligibility: Open to photographers worldwide with proven ability to complete complex projects
Deadline: Rolling throughout 2025
URL: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/funding-opportunities/grants/
Note: Emphasis on projects with clear conservation, scientific, or cultural impact

The Eugene Smith Grant

Amount: $40,000 (main grant), plus several $5,000 fellowships
Focus: Humanistic photography projects that follow in the tradition of W. Eugene Smith
Eligibility: Open to photographers worldwide
Deadline: April 2025
URL: https://www.smithfund.org/eugene-smith-grant
Note: One of the most prestigious documentary photography grants globally

The Alexia Foundation Grant

Amount: Professional grant $20,000, Student grant $1,000
Focus: Projects that promote world peace and cultural understanding
Eligibility: Professional and student categories
Deadline: January 2025
URL: https://www.alexiafoundation.org/grants
Note: Strong emphasis on social justice and human rights photography

Grants for Underrepresented Photographers

Women Photograph + Nikon Grants

Amount: Five grants of $5,000 each
Focus: Long-term documentary projects from women and non-binary photographers
Eligibility: Women and non-binary photographers with at least 5 years of experience
Deadline: May 2025
URL: https://www.womenphotograph.com/grants
Note: Additional mentorship opportunities available

Indigenous Photographer Fund

Amount: $10,000
Focus: Documentary projects by Indigenous photographers about their communities
Eligibility: Indigenous photographers worldwide
Deadline: October 2025
URL: https://www.nativephotographers.org/opportunities
Note: Includes mentorship component with established Indigenous photographers

Black Women Photographers Grant

Amount: $5,000
Focus: Documentary and editorial projects
Eligibility: Black women and non-binary photographers
Deadline: March 2025
URL: https://www.blackwomenphotographers.com/grant
Note: Includes portfolio review and mentorship opportunities

The Serendipity Arles Grant

Amount: €5,000
Focus: Documentary and contemporary photography
Eligibility: South Asian women photographers
Deadline: August 2025
URL: https://serendipity.gallery/arles-grant
Note: Includes exhibition opportunity at Rencontres d'Arles

Notable Documentary Photography Contests

World Press Photo Contest

Prize: Various monetary awards plus worldwide exhibition
Categories: Contemporary Issues, Environment, General News, Long-Term Projects, Nature, Portraits, Sports, Spot News
Deadline: January 2025
URL: https://www.worldpressphoto.org/contests
Note: Most prestigious photojournalism contest globally

Pictures of the Year International (POYi)

Categories: Multiple documentary and news categories
Eligibility: Professional photojournalists
Deadline: January 2025
URL: https://www.poy.org/competition
Note: One of the oldest and most respected photojournalism competitions

The Aftermath Project Grant

Amount: $25,000
Focus: Documentary projects exploring post-conflict stories
Deadline: February 2025
URL: https://theaftermathproject.org/
Note: Particularly interested in under-reported aftermath stories

Fine Art Grants That Support Documentary Work

Light Work Grants

Amount: $3,000
Focus: Photography and digital media projects
Eligibility: Residents of New York State (outside NYC)
Deadline: April 2025
URL: https://www.lightwork.org/grants
Note: Strong history of supporting documentary projects

Aperture Portfolio Prize

Prize: $3,000 and exhibition
Focus: Contemporary photography across all genres
Eligibility: International, emerging photographers
Deadline: January 2025
URL: https://aperture.org/portfolio-prize
Note: Often awards documentary and socially engaged work

Center for Photography at Santa Fe Grants

Project Launch Grant

Amount: $5,000
Focus: Career-launching opportunity for photographers with a completed project
Eligibility: International photographers
Deadline: March 2025
URL: https://visitcenter.org/project-launch-grant/

Project Development Grant

Amount: $3,000
Focus: Supporting works-in-progress
Eligibility: International photographers
Deadline: February 2025
URL: https://visitcenter.org/project-development-grant/

Excellence in Teaching Award

Amount: $2,500
Focus: Recognizing photography educators
Eligibility: Photography teachers at accredited institutions
Deadline: April 2025
URL: https://visitcenter.org/excellence-in-teaching/

Additional Resources

Emergency Grants

The following organizations offer emergency funding for photojournalists in crisis or needing rapid project support:

International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF) Emergency Fund - https://www.iwmf.org/programs/emergency-fund/
National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) Emergency Relief - https://nppa.org/emergency-relief
Rory Peck Trust - https://rorypecktrust.org/freelance-assistance/assistance-grants/

Mentorship Programs

VII Photo Agency Mentorship - https://www.viiphoto.com/mentorship/
Women Photograph Mentorship - https://www.womenphotograph.com/mentorship
Magnum Foundation Photography and Social Justice Program - https://www.magnumfoundation.org/photography-and-social-justice

Note: All deadlines are subject to change. Always check the official websites for the most current information and application requirements.

(Updated February 2025)

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Please note that grant availability and application criteria may change over time, so it's always a good idea to check the respective organizations' websites for the most up-to-date information.

Magnum Foundation Emergency Fund: Supports independent documentary photographers who are covering critical issues around the world.
https://www.magnumfoundation.org/emergency-fund
Getty Images Grants for Editorial Photography: Provides financial support to photographers working on compelling social, political, and cultural stories.
https://wherewestand.gettyimages.com/grants
W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund: Awards annual grants to photographers working on humanistic documentary projects.
https://smithfund.org/
The Aftermath Project: Offers grants to photographers exploring the aftermath of conflict and promotes constructive storytelling.
https://www.theaftermathproject.org/
Women Photograph Grants: Aims to support the work of women, non-binary, and gender non-conforming photographers worldwide.
https://www.womenphotograph.com/grants
Alexia Foundation Grants: Supports photographers and visual journalists addressing social justice and humanitarian issues.
https://www.alexiafoundation.org/
Open Society Foundations Documentary Photography Project: Funds photographers documenting social issues and human rights.
https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/documentary-photography-project
Pulitzer Center Grants: Provides funding for journalism projects, including documentary photography, with a focus on underreported issues.
https://pulitzercenter.org/grants
International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF): Offers reporting grants for female and gender non-conforming journalists, including photographers.
https://www.iwmf.org/programs/reporting-grants-for-women/
CatchLight Fellowship: Supports visual storytelling that drives social change and amplifies underrepresented voices.
https://www.catchlight.io/fellowship
The Documentary Project Fund: Grants for photographers and filmmakers working on projects that shed light on social, political, and environmental issues.
https://www.documentaryprojectfund.org/
World Press Photo Foundation: Offers grants, fellowships, and other programs to support visual journalism and storytelling.
https://www.worldpressphoto.org/activities/grants-programme
The FENCE Grant: Provides financial support and exhibition opportunities for photographers participating in The FENCE, an outdoor photography exhibition.
https://fence.photoville.com/
The Ian Parry Scholarship: Aims to support young documentary photographers and offers mentorship, equipment, and cash prizes.
https://www.ianparry.org/

Remember to visit each organization's website for specific details on application deadlines, eligibility criteria, and grant amounts.

Here are some grants specifically tailored for Indigenous photographers:

Native American Journalists Association (NAJA) - National Native Media Awards: NAJA provides grants to Indigenous photographers and journalists for their work in covering Native American communities. Website: https://najanewsroom.com/programs/awards/
IllumiNative - Native Storytelling Fellowship: Offers financial support to Native American and Alaska Native artists, including photographers, to create and share authentic narratives. Website: https://www.illuminatives.org/native-storytelling-fellowship
Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) - Mentorship Program: ISO provides grants and mentorship opportunities for Indigenous photographers and filmmakers working on storytelling projects. Website: https://www.screenoffice.ca/
N7 Fund - Nike: N7 Fund supports Native American and Aboriginal communities through grants for various artistic and sporting endeavors, including photography projects. Website: https://www.nike.com/n7
First Peoples Fund - Cultural Capital Program: Offers grants to Indigenous artists, including photographers, to support the continuation and revitalization of traditional art forms. Website: https://www.firstpeoplesfund.org/grants/cultural-capital
National Geographic Society - Indigenous Storytelling Grants: Provides grants to Indigenous storytellers, including photographers, to document and share stories from Indigenous communities worldwide. Website: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/funding-opportunities/grants/what-we-fund/indigenous-storytelling/
The Native Arts and Cultures Foundation - Artist Fellowship: Offers fellowships to Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian artists, including photographers, to support their artistic development and projects. Website: https://www.nativeartsandcultures.org/grants-fellowships/artist-fellowship
Ford Foundation - Indigenous Art and Culture Initiative: Supports Indigenous artists and cultural practitioners, including photographers, through grants that foster the revitalization and celebration of Indigenous cultures. Website: https://www.fordfoundation.org/work/our-grants/indigenous-art-and-culture-initiative/