APA Awards 2025: an international award for photographers of all levels
The American Photographers Association (APA) has announced the acceptance of works for its annual competition APA Awards 2025. The competition is open to photographers from all over the world — from beginners to experienced professionals. This year, the judges will select 46 winners in 15 categories, as well as present the main award — Best of Show. All noted works will be published in the annual print edition of the APA Awards.
Allowed photo series created by using AI, but they should be labeled accordingly and describe the creation process. However, the generated AI images cannot be submitted to 14 traditional photo categories.
The competition covers the following categories: architecture and interiors, beauty and fashion, portrait, documentary and street photography, travel, sports, conceptual photography and others. Special category FRESH — for works created in 2025.
Participation is paid, the cost depends on the APA membership: from $15 for Pro-Plus members to $40 for all those who wish. Submission of the series costs $50 regardless of membership.
Deadline: June 26, 2025
Grant W. Eugene Smith 2025: $30,000 for a documentary photo project
Acceptance announced bids on W. 2025 Eugene Smith Grant— one of The most prestigious international awards in the field of documentary photography. The grant supports photographers who explore socially important topics concerning The Human Situationin the modern world. It can be either a new project or an already started or unfinished project. Photographers from any country and any age can participate in the contest.
What to submit?
— Up to 40 photos representing the project
— Written application (up to 3000 characters) with a description of the plan, logistics and implementation
— Biography (up to 1500 characters)
Reward:
— $30,000 to the main winner
— $10 000 — to two finalists
This is one of the key opportunities for documentary filmmakers who seek to realize a deep, ethically verified and socially important photo project.
Details: smithfund.org
Deadline: October 8, 2025
NPPA Advanced Storytelling Workshop 2025: Grant Opportunity for Photo and Video Journalists
This is a unique opportunity for experienced photo and video journalists to deepen their skills in the company of colleagues and leading practitioners of visual storytelling. Anyone with work experience of more than two years can apply Requests on participation in NPPA Advanced Storytelling Workshop 2025— an educational event that combines practice, mentoring and the development of storytelling skills.
There are two awards:
— NPPF Awards— $1000 and exemption from paying for participation in the workshop. Available only to NPPA members.
— Hutchison/Wheeler Award— $2000 for costs associated with participation in the workshop. It is also open to students with a professional portfolio.
What gives?
Financial support for the trip and participation in the workshop, as well as the opportunity to learn from the industry's leading mentors. Participation is free.
Deadline: July 26, 2025
Form Photo Award 2025
This is a great opportunity to show your voice in a global art context — especially for those who work with series or have a consistent author's vision. Open Admission bids on Form Photo Award 2025— an international award for photographers organized by a multidisciplinary platform Form. Participants can be both professional photographers and amateurs, students of art or photography schools, as well as independent authors. The theme of the contest is open.
You can submit both individual pictures and completed photo projects. Works can be black and white or colored, but must be part of a series or form a series, even if only one photo is submitted.
Selected works will be showcased at SCOPE Art Fair in December 2025 during Miami Art Week, an event attended by more than 80,000 spectators each year. It is a prestigious platform for the presentation of modern photography to an international audience.
Fees for submission: €35
Deadline: August 1, 2025
.png)
.png)
