W. Eugene Smith Grant 2026

Deadline: October 12, 2026
Entry Fee: US$50; limited fee waivers available
Prize: US$30,000 main grant; two US$10,000 finalist grants
Website: www.smithfund.org/eugene-smith-grant

Opens the organizer’s submission page in a new tab.

About the Competition

A grant supporting the development or completion of documentary photography projects. Deadline: October 12, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.

Official information and full rules

Prizes

US$30,000 main grant and two US$10,000 finalist grants. Payments are staged, with final instalments dependent on delivery of images, prints where required, and a report.

Theme

Documentary projects exploring the human condition

Eligibility

Ages 18+. Non-professionals and collaborators may apply; students should use the separate student grant. One proposal, up to 40 images, biography, project description and practical proposal. No AI-generated imagery.

Copyrights & Licensing

Recipients supply images and, for the main grant, prints to the Smith Legacy Collection. A deed grants the Fund and ICP an irrevocable, worldwide, non-exclusive licence for non-commercial exhibitions, publications and related promotion. Review the full grant terms.

Enter Contest