Celebrating its 9th year, the £3,000 Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award launched on International Women’s Day, 8 March 2025. Open to professional women photographers worldwide; the award supports the completion of impactful documentary photo essays addressing vital social, environmental, economic, or cultural issues. Facilitated by FotoDocument and supported by Nikon, it’s free to enter and welcomes applicants at all career stages. Submissions must showcase ongoing projects highlighting underreported stories and positive solutions.

Quick Details:

• Application Deadline: Friday, 16th May 2025, 17:00 GMT
• Result Announcement Dates:
  • Shortlist Announcement: Tuesday, 10th June 2025
  • Winner and Honourable Mentions Announcement: Tuesday, 24th June 2025
• Funding Type: Grant
• Organizers: FotoDocument, supported by Nikon
• Eligible Countries: Open worldwide
• Eligible Gender: Female
• Target Group: Professional female documentary photographers
• Focus Areas: Social, Environmental, Economic, or Cultural Issues
• Number of Opportunities: One Winner + Honourable Mentions + Shortlisted Applicants
• Program Language: English
• Host Country and Exhibition: United Kingdom, London

Prize and Benefits:

The winner will benefit from the following items:

• £3,000 award to support the completion of the photo essay.
• Exhibition of the winner’s work at The Foundry – A Place for Change, a human rights center in London.
• The winner’s work will be featured on FotoDocument’s website and publicized through social media by FotoDocument and Nikon.
• Honourable Mentions are awarded to exceptional runners-up.
• Shortlisted applicants and Honourable Mentions have at least one image profiled on FotoDocument’s website and publicized on social media.
• No application fee (Free to apply).

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicants must meet the following documents:

• Applicants must be female photographers, including those identifying as female.
• The application is open to photographers of any nationality worldwide.
• Applicants must be over 18 years old (no upper age limit).
• Emerging, mid-career, and established photographers are welcome.
• Must have already started the photo essay for which funding is sought (work-in-progress required).
• Must have completed at least one prior documentary photo essay (track record).
• Postgraduate photography students are eligible.
• Applicants must have obtained model release permissions for their images.
• Must hold a valid bank account in their country of residence.

Selection Criteria:

Applications will be evaluated based on the following five criteria:

• Proven track record of completing at least one previous documentary photo essay to a high standard.
• Quality and cohesiveness of the proposed work/storyline.
• The way the project addresses solutions to the highlighted issue(s).
• The potential impact of the project through community/social/environmental engagement.
• Clear motivation for applying for the award.

The judging panel consists of prominent photographers and curators, including:

• Andrea Bruce (NOOR Photo Agency, Nikon Ambassador)
• Donna De Cesare (Photojournalist, Associate Professor at the University of Texas)
• Nina Emett (Director, FotoDocument)
• Neo Ntsoma (Founder of Neo Ntsoma Productions)
• Ana Maria Arévalo Gosen (2023 Award Winner)
• Lina Clerke (Honorary Judge, daughter of Marilyn Stafford)

The decision of the judging panel is final.

Application Requirements:

Photographers will need to send in their work-in-progress that they are hoping to support, along with a completed application form and one more finished photo essay on any subject that shows they can tell a story visually.

• Completed online application form.
• Ten JPEG photographs (max 3MB each) from the current project, along with captions and project description.
• Fifteen JPEG photographs (max 3MB each) from a previously completed documentary photo essay, with captions and project description.
• All submitted work must be original.
• Specific URL links may be used if providing a slideshow of the work, not general websites.

How to apply for the Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award?

• Create an account on the FotoDocument online portal to start the application process.
• Complete the online application form by answering all required questions and uploading relevant documents.
• Prepare and upload:
  • Ten JPEG photographs (max 3MB each) of the current photo essay, with captions and project description.
  • Fifteen JPEG photographs (max 3MB each) of a previously completed photo essay, with captions and project description.
• You may also provide a specific slideshow URL that links directly to your project and captions.
• Ensure all submissions are completed by Friday, 16th May 2025, 17:00 GMT.
• Applicants will receive an automatic confirmation email upon submission. If not received, contact [email protected].

             Apply Now

To learn more about the Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award, please visit FotoDocument’s website.

You may also be eligible for these opportunities:

• Politician of the Year Award 2025 (Fully Funded to OYW Summit Germany)
• Entrepreneur of the Year Award by One Young World in Germany
• Waterston Desert Writing Prize 2025 ($3000 Cash Award)