Funding for Photography Projects: RPS Bursaries Closing Soon
The Royal Photographic Society’s 2026 Bursaries are still open for submissions. RPS Bursary funding supports a wide range of project costs, including research, travel, equipment, and publication. In addition, both bursaries offer the unique opportunity to have the finished work published by the award‑winning RPS Journal team and The Guardian. Discover their available bursaries below: Joan Wakelin Bursary In partnership with The Guardian Closing Soon 14 July – £2000 An annual £2000 bursary to support a photographer with a compelling proposal for a photographic essay addressing an overseas social documentary issue. We are seeking applicants with a strong creative vision and a clear plan for how their images will be used to tell impactful, visually…
Best Photography Competitions and Awards to Enter in 2026
As someone who has worked within photography, journalism and publishing since 1997 and spent almost two decades building and editing TheAppWhisperer, I am often asked whether photography competitions are worth entering. My answer is usually the same: the right competition can be transformative, while the wrong one can be an expensive disappointment. Over the years, I have interviewed hundreds of photographers, reviewed portfolios, followed careers as they developed and watched photographers move from relative obscurity to international recognition. In many cases, a respected competition or award provided the breakthrough that helped their work reach a much wider audience. At the same time, I have seen photographers spend considerable sums entering…
Best Photography Grants, Scholarships and Funding Opportunities in the USA (2026)
Photography has never been an inexpensive profession. Whether you’re funding a documentary project, producing a photobook, travelling for a long-term body of work or pursuing further education, the costs can quickly become overwhelming. The good news is that the United States remains one of the best places in the world for photographers seeking grants, fellowships, scholarships and project funding. Over the years, I have interviewed photographers who have used grants to fund everything from environmental projects and documentary investigations to exhibitions, publications and postgraduate study. Many of the opportunities below provide far more than financial support. They can also offer mentorship, industry recognition, exhibition opportunities and access to influential networks…
