The National Geographic Magazine Photography Grant represents the magazine’s ongoing commitment to documentary photojournalism. The first grant award was made in 2007, and it has been made annually since. The grant is open to any professional still photographer and includes guidance on the selected project as well as full access to the support facilities provided to the magazine’s regular contributing photographers.
The award for the 2010 grant will be $30,000. Proposals should be focused on a project that addresses the National Geographic Society’s mission to “inspire people to care about the planet.”
National Geographic magazine is the official journal of the National Geographic Society, one of the world’s largest nonprofit educational and scientific organizations. The magazine has a long tradition of combining on-the-ground reporting with award-winning photography to inform people about life on our planet. Published in English and 32 local-language editions, it has a global readership of more than 35 million.
Objective
Submit your entry which has to include:
- Biography or C.V.
- Written Proposal
- Digital Image Portfolio
Please read the official rules for further details.
Applicants may use the application provided on the official website. The electronic copy is in addition to the hard copy.
Prizes
National Geographic will award one $30,000 (U.S. dollars) grant. The grant may be subject to U.S. federal and state tax. The Grantee is responsible for paying any taxes that may be applied. If the Grantee currently resides in the U.S., National Geographic will provide the 1099 income reporting form. If the Grantee resides outside of the U.S., National Geographic will provide the 1042 income reporting form.
The Grantee must provide a U.S. Taxpayer Identification Number before National Geographic will release the grant money to the Grantee. National Geographic will assist the Grantee with obtaining a Taxpayer Identification Number if he or she does not currently have one.
Rules
- Any individual currently working full-time as a professional photojournalist is eligible to apply for the Grant. To qualify as a professional photojournalist, an individual must receive the majority of his or her income from “documenting issues and events through still photography.”
- National Geographic employees or retirees are not eligible. Photographers who currently work, or have previously worked as freelancers for National Geographic publications are eligible to apply.
- Applicants may submit only one (1) application/proposal.
- Applicants not selected for the Grant will be notified via email.
2010 Photography Grant Information and Submission Guidelines
How to enter?
Applications must be submitted on a single CD or DVD that can be read on both Mac and PC platforms, clearly labeled with the Applicant’s name. The Applicant should submit a hard copy of the completed application form with the Applicant’s signature and the disk to:
National Geographic MagazinePhotographic Department
Photography Grant Application
1145 17th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
DO NOT include prints, transparencies, slides, or other materials. Judges will only consider digital images. National Geographic WILL NOT return such materials to the applicant. The only hard copy document that should be included with your submission is the application form.
