W. Eugene Smith Grant in Humanistic Photography 2026
W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund
The Smith Grant is one of the most consequential awards in documentary photography, made annually since 1980 in memory of W. Eugene Smith to a photographer whose work follows his humanistic tradition. The main grant is $30,000, paid $24,000 up front and $6,000 on delivery of the finished images within eighteen months, and two finalist grants of $10,000 are awarded alongside it. Grantees are not...
publicSeo.openCall.benefits
The Smith Grant is one of the most consequential awards in documentary photography, made annually since 1980 in memory of W. Eugene Smith to a photographer whose work follows his humanistic tradition. The main grant is $30,000, paid $24,000 up front and $6,000 on delivery of the finished images within eighteen months, and two finalist grants of $10,000 are awarded alongside it. Grantees are notified by 15 December 2026.
publicSeo.openCall.eligibility
Open to photographers aged 18 or over, of any nationality, professional or not; students are directed to the fund's separate Student Grant. The work submitted should be a photographic essay in the documentary and photojournalistic tradition — social change, humanitarian concern, armed conflict and related subjects. Applications are made online with a biography of up to 1,500 characters, a project description of up to 2,000, a proposal of up to 3,000 and up to 40 JPGs.