Canon Female Photojournalist Grant — €8,000 for women photojournalists and participation in an international festival

Some projects cannot be completed quickly — not because of a lack of discipline, but because the subject itself requires time, return, and trust. In photojournalism, this becomes especially clear: work develops gradually — through observation, dialogue, and immersion in reality. This grant is designed to support exactly that process — not to accelerate it, but to allow it to fully unfold.
For more than twenty years, the program has supported women photojournalists working on social, political, and cultural topics. It is not a grant “for an idea”, but support for a project that already exists and needs to be developed further — when the author has material, direction, and a clear understanding of how the story should evolve.
A key aspect of the grant is its connection with the Visa pour l’Image festival in Perpignan, France — one of the most important events in global photojournalism. This means the project receives not only funding, but also the opportunity to be presented within a professional environment where reputations, networks, and future opportunities are shaped.

What participation offers
The €8,000 grant provides the time and resources needed to continue working on the project over the course of a year. It supports shooting, fieldwork, travel, and in-depth research, allowing the author to bring the story to a meaningful conclusion.
Importantly, the result is not just a collection of images, but a project ready for public presentation and professional discussion. The opportunity to present it at the festival makes this grant not only financial support, but also a point of entry into the international professional field.

Who it is for
The grant is open to professional women photojournalists of any age and nationality. A key requirement is an ongoing project and experience in documentary photography.
This format is particularly relevant for authors at a transitional stage — when their practice is already established, but the project still needs resources to become a coherent journalistic statement.

Application and selection process
The application process begins with registration on the website, where applicants create an account and fill in their personal and professional details. The project is then submitted online, including its description, category, and visual materials.
Applications must be complete — the system does not allow partial submissions. After submission, projects are reviewed by a jury of photography and media professionals. The evaluation focuses not only on visual quality, but also on journalistic approach, relevance of the topic, and the project’s potential for development.
The winner is selected in the summer, and the grant is awarded in September during the festival.

What to consider
The project must be completed within one year in order to be presented at the next Visa pour l’Image festival. This means the application should present not an abstract idea, but a realistic and well-structured project with a clear plan.

Why this is more than just a grant
The value of this program lies not only in the funding, but in the context the project enters. Its connection with a leading photojournalism festival makes it part of the professional infrastructure of the field.
For many authors, this is not just support, but an opportunity to present their work in a space where the international photojournalism agenda is shaped.

The deadline for applications is May 19, 2026.