The 2014 W. Eugene Smith Grant for Humanistic Photography is now open for entries. Photographers interested in applying for the grant can learn more by visiting SmithFund.org. The Smith Fund also announced that the annual Howard Chapnick Grant for leadership in fields ancillary to photojournalism, such as editing research, education and management, is open for entries. Entries for both grants must be submitted by May 31, 2014.
The W. Eugene Smith Grant in Humanistic Photography is presented annually to a photographer whose past work and proposed project, as judged by a panel of experts, follows the tradition of W. Eugene Smith’s concerned photography and dedicated compassion exhibited during his 45-year career as a photographic essayist. Now in its 35th year, the Grant was established in 1978 in honor of the legendary American photo essayist.
The recipient of the 2014 Smith Award will receive a $30,000 grant to complete a current or future documentary project. In addition, one or more Fellowships totaling $5,000 will be given to one or more photographers whom the judges feel represent exemplary efforts in humanistic photography.
“We are very excited to open the application process for the 2014 W. Eugene Smith Grant for Humanistic Photography,” explains Marcel Saba, President W.Eugene Memorial Fund Smith. “The Smith Fund has supported dozens of world-class photographers who have created bodies of work that illustrate the human condition and provide a voice for those who cannot provide one for themselves. We are very proud of the work that has been produced and shared with the world with the grant money provided by the Smith Fund.”
The Howard Chapnick Grant was established in 1996 to honor the memory of Howard Chapnick, and acknowledge the value of his enormous contribution to photography. The annual $5,000 grant may be used to finance any of a range of qualified undertakings, which might include a program of further education, research, a special long-term sabbatical project, or an internship to work with a noteworthy group or individual, and is not to be used for the creation of photographs.
Each year, the Fund’s Board of Trustees appoints a three-member international jury who meet twice during the adjudication process and finalists are selected primarily on the basis of the substantive (and intellectual) merit of their project. Finalists will then be asked to submit a comprehensive photographic print portfolio, to write (if necessary) a more detailed and focused proposal, and to answer questions about their project. Grant and Fellowship recipients will be selected based on the detailed proposals.
Photographers interested in learning more or applying for both grants should visit SmithFund.org.
There is a $50 application fee for the W. Eugene Smith Grant for Humanistic Photography. No preliminary materials will be returned unless expressly requested by the applicant, and sent accompanied either by a self-addressed stamped envelope or appropriate packaging and a prepaid courier waybill. Non-returned materials will be destroyed at the end of the entire judging process. The Fund is not responsible for loss or damage to any work.
About The Smith Fund Grant
The Smith Fund Grant is named for the legendary documentary photographer W. Eugene Smith. Now in its 35th year the W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund has become the one of the longest standing and most prestigious awards in photojournalism. A grant of $30,000 is given to a photographer to complete a project deemed most worthy by a panel of jurors.