The Stanley Greene Foundation Emerging Photographers Grant

2026-2027

Barda, Azerbaijan, photograph by Stanley Greene.

Purpose

The purpose of the Emerging Photographer Grant is to provide a $10,000 grant to visual storytellers at the beginning of their careers, to develop impactful visual narratives. The program places particular emphasis on photographers from undeserved and diverse communities, expanding access to resources and opportunities to bring their stories to life.

Requirements

Biography: Up to 1500 characters (spaces included).
Project Description: A concise summary of the project. The project should be journalistically realizable, visually translatable, and humanistically driven. The description should not exceed 2000 characters (spaces included).
Project Proposal: A detailed description of the applicant’s plan. It should explain how the applicant will use the Stanley Greene Foundation Grant funds to launch or complete the project. The proposal should not exceed 3000 characters (spaces included).
Images: Applicants can submit up to 25 images total. These should consist of representative images from the project being proposed to the Stanley Greene Foundation Grant. Or, if a new project, the applicant can include in their submission past work clearly marked as such, that represents the applicant’s vision and their ability to execute the project being proposed to the Foundation. No AI imagery is allowed.

You must be 18 years or older to apply for this grant.

As part of the applicant’s project proposal, the grantee will be encouraged to incorporate a multimedia approach.

Application Fee

$50 USD

Fee Waiver: Board of Directors of the Stanley Greene Foundation will be making a select number of application fee waivers available to photographers seeking to apply to the Grant. Photographers who cannot afford the submission fee should request a fee waiver from the President of the Stanley Greene Foundation at pegreene@aol.com.

Judging

Three members of the Stanley Greene Foundation’s Board of Directors will serve as a jury. The jury will meet twice. At the first meeting they will review the submitted materials, including applications, proposals and photographs. They will select finalists based on the merits of the submissions. Finalists will have a short period of time to refine their proposals and respond to questions from the jury. At the second meeting, the jury will re-visit the proposals, review new material, and make a final selection.

Terms of receiving the Grant

Applicant understands and agrees that if applicant is the recipient of the grant, $8,000 will be paid upon receipt of the grant, and an additional $2000 will be paid on receipt of fifteen (15) digital images and a final report detailing how the grant was used and how the money contributed to the success of the project.

The digital images referenced above will become part of the Stanley Greene Foundation Collection and used for promotional purposes.

Timeline

Call for entries open – May 01, 2026
Submission deadline – July 01, 2026, at 11:59 pm EDT
Grant recipient announced – August 15, 2026
First Annual Stanley Greene Foundation Grant Ceremony – TBD

FAQ

Can students apply?

No.

Can collaborators apply?

Yes. We will accept applications from multiple creative collaborators.

Is there any age restriction for applicants?

Yes. You must be 18 years or older to apply for this grant.

Are AI or ML (Machine Learning) generated imagery allowed?

No.

When will I be notified of the Stanley Greene Foundation Grant?

The grantee will be notified on August 15, 2026.

Can I submit multiple applications for different projects?

No. Individuals can only submit one proposal.

How do you define a Project Description vs a Project Proposal?

The Project Description summarizes the project in 2000 characters or less (spaces included). The Project Proposal, up to 3000 characters (spaces included), should map out in concrete terms how the applicant will use the Stanley Greene Foundation Grant funding to launch or complete the project.

My Project Description, Project Proposal, Biography, or CV is longer than the length stated in the guidelines. Can I still submit it/them?

We strongly encourage applicants to meet the stated requirements.

What format should I use to save my digital images?

You should submit 72 dpi JPG images saved with maximum quality compression with a long dimension of at least 1500 pixels, sRGB color space.

I have been researching a new photo project in the past year and only now am I beginning to travel, make photographs and pursue interviews. Nothing significant has been photographed. Can I still apply?

Yes. The word component of the application is paramount here and will establish the merit of the project. For images, you might consider submitting the few early pictures from this new project alongside others that are close in style and approach to what you are now trying to accomplish.

I will be a student at the time of submission, but I will have graduated by the time the grant is decided. Am I eligible to apply for the Stanley Greene Foundation Grant?

Yes.

Do you still have questions?

For additional questions email: pegreene@aol.com