The Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award 2025 by the International Women’s Media Foundation IWMF accepts applications. The Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award was established to honor the life and work of Anja Niedringhaus, a Pulitzer Prize-winning AP photographer and IWMF bravery in Journalism Award winner. The IWMF honors the courageous work of female photojournalists like Anja with this Award. The Award celebrates the significance of visual journalism that prompts us to take action and better realize the world.

Awarding Organization: International Women’s Media Foundation IWMF
Application Deadline: March 14, 2025

Award Value:

• One winner shall receive a $20,000 cash prize.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Women, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming journalists are eligible for the Award.
• The candidate must be a full-time journalist, and journalism must be their primary occupation.
• Freelance journalists, as well as those linked with media organizations, are both eligible.
• You must not have won or been recognized as an honorable mention for the Award in the previous five years.

Work Sample Requirements:

• Submit 12 photographs showcasing your work in challenging reporting environments.
• Not allowed: Videos, art photography, illustrations, watermarked images, photo grids, overlaid text, or photos not taken by you.
• Format: JPG, min. 1500px (longest side), 72 dpi.
• Captions in English (date, location, context).
• Six photos must be from 2022-2024; the rest can be from any time.
• One submission per photographer.

Candidate/Nomination Statement Guidelines:

Submit a statement (max 500 words, in English) answering all four questions below. Do not include your name or contact details in the statement or filename. Submissions without a statement will not be considered.

Questions:

1. What stories do the candidate’s photos tell?
2. Under what conditions does the candidate work?
3. How do the submitted photos represent the candidate’s work?
4. How does the candidate’s career reflect Anja Niedringhaus’s values?

Nomination and  Application Procedure 

Create a free Picter account to submit your entry for the Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award.

Submissions must include:
✔ Candidate details
✔ 12-photo work sample
✔ Statement (self or nominee)

Note: Candidates may self-nominate or be nominated by an editor, mentor, or journalist. If nominating someone, you can submit a full application on their behalf.

Apply Now

Judging Criteria:

• Quality of photography
• Composition of portfolio
• Storytelling ability
• Conditions under which the journalist worked
• Candidate statement
• Reflection of Anja Niedringhaus’s values

Refer to IWMF’s website for more information

You may also be eligible for these opportunities:

• OSCE Scholarship for Peace and Security 2025 (6 Week Online Course + In person Event in Vienna, Austria)
• AFS Global STEM Accelerator Program 2025 (Scholarships Available)
• King Abdulaziz University Scholarships in Saudi Arabia 2025/26 (Fully Funded)