The W. Eugene Smith Grant

International Deadline: October 7, 2025 – The W. Eugene Smith Grant is presented annually to a photographer whose past work and proposed project, as judged by a panel of experts, follows the tradition of W. Eugene Smith’s concerned photography and dedicated compassion evidenced during his 45-year career as a photographic essayist.

This Grant is designed to help a photographer begin a photographic project or help complete an ongoing photographic project.

 - ELIGIBILITY
You must be 18 years of age or older to apply for the W. Eugene Smith Fund Grant. You do not need to be a professional documentary photographer or photojournalist to apply for the W. Eugene Smith Grant. We will accept applications from multiple creative collaborators. International applications can be submitted, and in fact are encouraged.

 - SELECTION
The Judges will be looking for a photographer whose proposed project seems most likely to use exemplary and compelling photojournalism and documentary photography (possibly supplemented by or incorporating multi-media) to address an issue of import and impact related to the human condition: social change, humanitarian concern, armed conflict, or other topics of interpersonal, psychological, cultural, social, environmental, scientific, medical and/or political significance, ideally expressing an underlying acknowledgement of our common humanity.

 - AWARDS
For 2025, the amount of the W. Eugene Smith Grant is $30,000 and two additional $10,000 Finalist Grants will be awarded.

The images shall become part of the W. Eugene Smith Legacy Collection at the International Center of Photography in New York. Applicant also agrees that as part of the unrestricted gift, the Smith Fund may exhibit the images and may use them to promote the activities of the Fund.

APPLY ONLINE – $50 Application

About:
The W. Eugene Smith Fund supports photographers whose work follows the tradition of W. Eugene Smith’s humanistic photography and dedicated compassion evidenced during his 45-year career as a photographic essayist.

W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund
P.O. Box 110
New York, NY 10014