THE ALEXIA GRANTS 2024

DEADLINE EXTENDED UNTIL 11:59 P.M. EST FEBRUARY 19, 2024. 

The Alexia promotes the power of visual storytelling to shed light on significant issues around the world by supporting both student and professional photographers, filmmakers and other visual creatives whose work fosters cultural understanding and inspires change by addressing socially significant topics. Over 30 years, through its annual competitions, The Alexia has provided more than $1.7 million in grants to 170+ student and professional photographers. 

Grants are awarded to applicants who can produce significant projects that share in The Alexia’s mission and who demonstrate the ability to accomplish their projects. Submissions must include a synopsis of the project, a proposal, a bio, a résumé/CV and a body of work. Stories may be in progress or in the planning stages. The submission fee is $50 for professionals; student submissions are free. Entries are judged as much on the strength of the proposal as on the applicant’s visual skills. What storytellers address and what they say about life on the planet is more important than the approach chosen to address that topic. Only one application per person will be accepted each year. 

The 2024 submission cycle will open January 18, 2024, and end at 11:59 p.m. February 19, 2024. Feel free to join us for the open judging weekend (sponsored by SONY) on March 29–30 at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

This year, we are offering four new opportunities in addition to the main grants. If your project aligns with one of the new initiatives, it will automatically be considered. SUBMIT ONLY ONE APPLICATION.

PROFESSIONAL GRANTS

The Alexia Grant (professional): $20,000 and a Sony camera/lens. The runner-up will receive $500.

NEW: The Alexia Mental Health Grant sponsored by The Albany Foundation — $17,000. We are looking for a strong project that provides meaningful insight into a mental health issue.

NEW: The Alexia Environmental Change Grant sponsored by James Balog / Earth Vision Institute — $15,000. We are looking for a still photographer whose innovative image-making and ideas deepen human understanding of environmental change in the Anthropocene.* Special consideration will be given to work with strong potential for public outreach.

NEW: The Alexia Conservation Grant sponsored by The fStop Foundation — $5,000. We are looking for a strong project that focuses on positive aspects of conservation work in relation to human-wildlife conflict and how we can thrive living alongside the wildlife that share our landscape.

STUDENT GRANTS

Student applicants are encouraged to consider proposing projects located close to where they live because a successful body of work is more likely with easy and repeated access. Most student grant recipients are already working on their projects when they apply.

The Alexia Grant (student): $1,000, a Sony camera/lens, the tuition and fees to audit three courses during a semester at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University in New York, and they will be considered for a paid position as research assistant to The Alexia chair. The runner-up for this award will receive $500. 

NEW: The Alexia Conservation Grant sponsored by The fStop Foundation — $1,000. We are looking for a strong project that focuses on positive aspects of conservation work in relation to human-wildlife conflict and how we can thrive alongside the wildlife that share our landscape. The fStop Foundation also is willing to provide guidance during production and publication.

 

NEW STUDENT AND EMERGING PHOTOGRAPHER GRANT 

The Alexia is pleased to announce THE ALEXIA EMERGING PHOTOGRAPHER GRANT SPONSORED BY THE VII FOUNDATION.
 
The recipient of this grant will be selected from applicants to our student grants as well as professional applicants who have five years of experience or less. Given this, we are extending the deadline for all of our grants until 11:59 p.m. Feb. 19. The VII Foundation believes truthful visual journalism is an essential tool for citizens and decision-makers as they confront humanity’s challenges and seek sustainable solutions. In response, the foundation empowers new voices, fosters critical debates, and creates stories that advocate change.

GRANT DETAILS: Tuition to Level 3 of The Program for Narrative and Documentary Photography in Arles, France, plus accommodation and a per diem.

CURRICULUM: Level 3 of the Program for Narrative and Documentary Photography offers an immersive, interdisciplinary experience at the Alexandra Boulat Campus in Arles, France. This intensive month-long program includes training in observation, interview techniques, public speaking, writing, constructing complex narratives, editing, improving technical skills, and engaging in discourse and debate.

Level 3 classes are conducted in English and focus on teaching through practice and mentoring; they also include more theoretical concepts, integrating multi-disciplinary academic reading and research, writing, journaling, art disciplines, and workshops. After completing the course, students are skilled professionals ready to report on vital issues in their communities and understand their role in the context of contemporary journalism.

Tutors for past editions of Level 3 include Monica Allende, Philip Blenkinsop, Dr. David Campbell, Jacqueline Farmer, Ziyah Gafic, Gary Knight, Ilvy Njiokiktjien Fiona Turner, and Yonola Viguerie.
 
The VII Foundation’s educational programs are run by VII Academy, which provides tuition-free courses in visual journalism to practitioners in the Majority World and underrepresented communities in G20 countries.

JURORS: The VII Foundation



EXHIBITS & PUBLICATION
All images submitted also will be considered for inclusion in exhibitions and publications curated throughout the year. Photographers with selected images will be contacted for approval.

The Alexia encourages a diversity of creators, issues and approaches, and we look forward to reviewing your proposals. 

Video walk-through of the STUDENT SUBMISSION PROCESS.
Video walk-through of the PROFESSIONAL SUBMISSION PROCESS.



FEE WAIVER
Through a partnership with African Photojournalism Database, African Women in Photography, Arab Documentary Photography Program, Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, The Authority Collective, Balkanium, Black Women Photographers, Diversify Photo, Eddie Adams Workshop, The Everyday Projects, Femgrafía, Foto Feminas, Gulf Photo Plus, Indigenous Photograph, Magnum Foundation, National Press Photography Association (NPPA), Photo Circle (Kathmandu), Vilnius Photo Circle, VII Foundation, Visura, Women Photograph, and World Press, The Alexia is offering a limited number of submission fee waivers. Photographers/filmmakers who cannot afford the submission fee and are members of one of the partner organizations listed above can apply for a waiver from their organization beginning Jan. 19, 2024. Given that there are a limited number of waivers, we recommend you apply for one as soon as possible. (Professional category only; student entries are free.)

Deadline: February 19, 2024