2020 Call for Entries is now open.

Download the Photography Grant rules and guidelines.



Proposals of Human Importance and Impact

Documentary photographers from around the world are invited to submit documentary photography projects along with an 15-image supporting portfolio on topics of human suffering and unrest, forgotten communities, exploited lands and people, on communities ravaged by war, poverty, famine, disease, and the exploitation of global resources.

A GLOBAL Grant

The Manuel Rivera-Ortiz Foundation for Documentary Photography & Film will award one EUR 3,000 grant to one documentary photography project based on the quality of the submitted 15-image portfolio, the strength of the submitted proposal, as well as any supporting materials including an updated CV. The “Top 12″ shortlisted portfolios will be featured and displayed during Les Rencontres d’Arles (Arles, France) at our new 18th century facility and foundation home located on 19/21 Rue de la Liberté/14 Rue Barrême. The selected project must be completed the calendar year following receipt of the grant. Grants are open to professional and emerging photographers in all countries. Photographers are expected to be committed to the field of reportage and documentary photography.

Eligible Work

All proposed projects and submitted portfolios must be works of non-fiction and must be based on such pressing social issues as health, poverty, oppression, war, famine, religious/political persecution and similar topics. Proposals must be for new or continuing projects. Portfolios should be a representative sampling of your documentary work.

Award Recipients

Entries must be submitted for each photographer(s) responsible for the work submitted. Group entrants are permitted. One submission set of requested documents will be necessary for each member of a group or team. There will be only one grant issued regardless of the number of photographers involved in the submission.

How to Enter

All entrants must submit the required supporting materials including the 15 image portfolio, project and budget proposal, resume (CV), and head shot. Please be certain to read the entirety of our guidelines and rules for submission details as described here.

Submission Dates and Deadlines

Submissions begin November 1st of each consecutive year. Subscribe to our email list here to receive notifications.

Judging, Selection & Notification

Judging will take place in three rounds by a panel of selected professionals representing all branches of the documentary photography industry. Round One judging will assess all entries based on submission worthiness. A pre-selection jury will select the “Top-24” and consequently the “Top-12” portfolios during round two. In this round the “Top-24” entrants will be asked to submit high-resolution versions of their submitted images and any new supporting information they may choose to submit. Round three judges will meet in Arles during an early morning selection session to select our new laureate from the “Top-12” list of finalists.

