Deadline passed — applications closedBrowse open opportunities
W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund, Inc.grant
The W. Eugene Smith Grant
- Who Can Apply: Open to visual storytellers and documentary photographers worldwide who are 18 or older; current students are not eligible for this grant (they should apply to the Student Grant).
- The Focus: Funding to begin or complete a major photographic essay addressing social change, humanitarian concern, armed conflict, or other issues of cultural, social, environmental, scientific, medical, and/or political significance.
- The Funding: $30,000 grant for the recipient; two $10,000 Finalist Grants are also awarded.
- Key Requirements: Biography (max 1,500 characters), optional CV (max 2,000 characters or a PDF of any length), project description (max 2,000 characters), project proposal (max 3,000 characters), up to 40 JPG images (72 dpi, long dimension at least 1,500 pixels, sRGB), and a $50 application fee. No AI-generated imagery is allowed.
DeadlineMonday, October 12, 2026
AwardFor 2026, the amount of the W. Eugene Smith Grant is $30,000 and two additional $10,000 Finalist Grants will be awarded.
Application fee$50
Locationglobal
ParticipationRemote
Career stagesEmerging, Mid-Career, Established, Late-Career
Disciplinesphotojournalism, documentary photography, visual storytelling
Age range18–
Application notesFee waivers are available through partner organizations for photographers who cannot afford the submission fee. Collaborators may apply, but individuals can submit only one proposal. No AI/ML-generated imagery is allowed.
Contactinfo@smithfund.org
W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund, Inc.