Vital ImpactsfellowshipRemote
The Vital Impacts Environmental Photography Fellowships and Mentorships
- Who Can Apply: Individual photographers and visual storytellers worldwide with a meaningful, established relationship with the community or environmental issue they propose to document (local photographers strongly encouraged); no teams; sanctioned persons/countries excluded.
- The Focus: Solutions-focused environmental and conservation documentary still photography at the local level, developed over 12 months.
- The Funding: One $20,000 fellowship (established photographer) and six $5,000 fellowships (emerging photographers); ten further photographers receive mentorships. One fellow will also be invited to exhibit at the 2027 Festival of Ethical Photography in Lodi, Italy (travel and accommodation covered).
- Key Requirements: Apply via Picter with a photo story (a sequence, not a portfolio), a project proposal and a project description; agree to the Vital Impacts Code of Ethics and Environmental Fellowship Agreement; $25 entrance fee (waivers available).
DeadlineMonday, November 30, 2026
AwardOne $20,000 professional fellowship and six $5,000 emerging-photographer fellowships (per recipient)
Application fee$25
DurationTwelve months to develop projects
Locationglobal
ParticipationRemote
Career stagesEmerging, Mid-Career, Established
DisciplinesEnvironmental photography, Documentary photography, Photojournalism, Visual storytelling
Application notesApplicants may apply in their native language or in English; translation will be provided. Grants fund still photography projects only (no film or multimedia). Individual photographers only (no teams or groups). A separate application is required for each additional project. Submissions can be re-opened for editing before the deadline by emailing hello@vitalimpacts.org. Note: the main program page says applications from photographers residing outside the respective community or country won't be considered, while the 2027 Picter call says non-residents with sustained engagement will also be considered.
Contacthello@vitalimpacts.org
Vital Impacts