W. Eugene Smith Grant 2026

The W. Eugene Smith Grant awards $30,000 and two $10,000 finalist grants to visual storytellers working in documentary photography and photojournalism focused on social change and the human condition.

Overview

The W. Eugene Smith Grant supports visual storytellers whose work continues the legacy of W. Eugene Smith’s humanistic photo essays. The award recognizes projects rooted in documentary photography and photojournalism that address urgent social, political, environmental, and cultural issues. Special consideration is given to work that engages with social change, contemporary image practices, and new modes of distribution, while remaining grounded in long-form storytelling.

Practical Info

Applicants must submit a biography, a project description, a detailed project proposal, and up to 40 images. Students are not eligible. The project description should outline the story clearly in a concise and journalistic form, while the proposal should explain how the grant funds will be used to develop or complete the work. AI-generated imagery is not allowed, and applicants must be at least 18 years old.

For 2026, the grant awards $30,000, with two additional $10,000 finalist grants.

About the W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund

Established in 1979, the W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund is a non-profit organization that supports documentary photographers working in the tradition of W. Eugene Smith. The fund administers the annual grant program to enable long-form photographic projects that focus on social issues and the human experience, continuing Smith’s legacy of compassionate and engaged visual storytelling.