W. Eugene Smith Student Grant 2026

The 2026 edition of the W. Eugene Smith Student Grant offers two cash prizes of $5,000 to students to complete a photographic essay.

Overview

The W. Eugene Smith Student Grant supports photography students whose work continues the legacy of W. Eugene Smith’s compassionate, long-form visual storytelling. The award encourages documentary and photojournalistic projects that engage with urgent social, political, environmental, and cultural issues, with special attention to work that reflects social change and the human condition. Projects may also incorporate multimedia approaches.

Practical Info

The grant is open to students aged 18 and over who are currently enrolled in a photography program. Applicants must submit a biography, a project description, a detailed project proposal, and up to 40 images, including a current Student ID (submitted as the 40th image). The project description should be concise and journalistic in approach, while the proposal should explain how the grant will be used to complete the work. AI-generated imagery is not permitted. Fee waivers are available through partner organisations for applicants who require financial support.

For 2026, two student grants of $5,000 will be awarded.

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. Through its annual grants, it enables students and emerging photographers to complete long-term photographic essays focused on social issues and the human experience, continuing Smith’s legacy of humanistic storytelling.