Organizer Information

CatchLight is a San Francisco–based nonprofit visual media organization dedicated to using the power of visual storytelling to inform, connect, and transform communities. Through its programs, CatchLight supports photographers, filmmakers, and visual journalists who create deeply felt, socially meaningful work. It runs several initiatives, including the Global Fellowship, the Local Visual Journalism Desk, and public-facing events like the Visual Storytelling Summit and the Night of Photojournalism.

Title & Description

CatchLight Global Fellowship
The Global Fellowship is a program that awards three individual visual storytellers a $30,000 grant each year. Fellows propose long-form or impact-driven visual projects (photography, video, multimedia) that engage audiences through inventive distribution methods and community-centered storytelling. The fellowship acts as an incubator: Fellows receive funding, mentorship, strategic support, and access to CatchLight’s network to expand the reach and impact of their work. The goal is to empower creative leaders who can shape the future of visual media by building meaningful audience engagement, testing new ways of distributing stories, and driving social change.

Categories

Visual Art / Documentary Photography / Video / Multimedia Storytelling / Photojournalism / Visual Journalism

Eligibility

  • Open to all nationalities.
  • The Fellowship is for individual applicants — not collectives or organizations.
  • Applicants should be visual storytellers (photographers, filmmakers, multimedia practitioners) working on long-form or socially engaged projects.
  • Applications are in English only.

Program Benefits & Awards

  • $30,000 grant per Fellow.
  • Paid travel and accommodation to attend the CatchLight Visual Storytelling Summit in San Francisco.
  • Professional development, including executive coaching and strategy support.
  • Networking & mentorship opportunities within CatchLight’s community and with industry professionals.
  • Access to future funding via the CatchLight Impact Fund
  • Community & peer support, connections with other Fellows, and opportunities to speak, present, or teach.
  • Reporting & impact requirements: Fellows create a milestone map, do quarterly reviews, and produce shared assets (photos/video) to document their progress, which helps strengthen their engagement impact.

Application Fee

No Entry fee

Application Requirements

  • A project proposal: describing the visual storytelling project, its goals, and how you plan to engage audiences.
  • A distribution and engagement plan: explaining how you will reach and activate your target audience.
  • A timeline/milestone map for your project, possibly extending beyond the fellowship period.
  • A budget estimate, showing how the $30,000 fellowship funds will be used (you can budget more than $30K, but specify which part will come from CatchLight).
  • Work samples: 10-20 images (or relevant media) of your past work or your proposed project.
  • Professional references: typically three referees (name, email, phone).
  • Bio / CV: A short biography and curriculum vitae/résumé.
  • (Optional) Three topic ideas for sharing your learning with the CatchLight community, as Fellows are expected to contribute back.

How to Apply?

Online Application

Key Dates

  • Application Deadline: 15 December 2025
  • Notification Date: May 2026
  • Fellowship Duration: The fellowship timeline may span over 12 months; some work can continue beyond the funded period.

Location

San Francisco, California, United States

Additional Details

  • Fellows must mention CatchLight as a funder in all relevant project-related materials indefinitely.
  • Fellows agree to share their project outcomes with the CatchLight community via photos, videos, or reports.
  • The fellowship encourages innovative distribution (not just making the work, but thinking how to reach audiences in new, meaningful ways).
  • CatchLight also covers their travel cost to the Summit, so accepted Fellows don’t need to pay for that themselves.
  • Only individuals can apply (not teams or organizations).

Website Link: https://www.catchlight.io/

FellowshipAccommodationGrantMentorshipNetworkingTravel costs