Organizer Information

The Global Peace Photo Award (formerly the Alfred Fried Photography Award) is organized by Edition Lammerhuber in partnership with an esteemed network of cultural and press institutions. Partners include UNESCO, the Austrian Parliament, the World Press Photo Foundation, the International Press Institute (IPI), UNICEF Austria, and the Vienna Insurance Group. This collaborative effort aims to promote photography that highlights the human quest for a peaceful world.

Title & Description

Global Peace Photo Award 2026.

This competition asks a fundamental question: "What does peace look like?" It seeks to discover the best photography across the globe that captures the essence of peace, happiness, and a positive attitude toward life. Unlike many awards focused on conflict, this prize emphasizes the presence of peace and the imagination of a thriving future.

Category

Photography (Single Image, Stories, and Children’s Peace Image).

Eligibility

  • General: Open to all photographers from anywhere in the world, professional or amateur.
  • Age-Specific: A dedicated "Children’s Peace Image of the Year" category is available for those aged 14 years or younger.
  • Recency: Stories must not be older than three years. For long-term projects, at least two-thirds of the work must have been taken within the last three years.

Program Benefits & Awards

  • Total Cash Prizes: €11,000 in total.
  • Peace Image of the Year: €7,000 cash prize.
  • Story Winners (3): €1,000 each.
  • Single Image Winner (1): €1,000.
  • Children’s Peace Image of the Year: €1,000.
  • Recognition: All winners receive the Alfred Fried Peace Medal and an invitation to the award ceremony in Vienna in September 2026, with travel and accommodation expenses covered.
  • Exhibition: All submitted images have the opportunity to be featured in international exhibitions.

Application Fee

There is no entry fee.

Application Requirements

  • Format: Digital submissions must be .jpg files with more than 3000 pixels on the longest side.
  • Quantity: Up to 99 images for the Single Image category. For the Story category, a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 12 images per story.
  • Authenticity: No embedded logos or names. Reportage photos must not be manipulated. Digitally edited montages are accepted for creative exploration if disclosed in captions.

How to Apply

Entries must be uploaded via the official submission portal at friedaward.com. Participants must finalize and submit their entries before the deadline.

Key Dates

  • Application Deadline: 24 May 2026, 11:59 PM CET.
  • Winner Notification: 14 July 2026 (via phone/email).
  • Shortlist Publication: 17 July 2026.
  • Award Ceremony: 24 September 2026 in Vienna, Austria.

Location

Online (Submission); Vienna, Austria (Award Ceremony).

Additional Details

The international jury evaluates entries based on artistic merit, originality, subject, and style. While photographers retain the copyright to their images, the organizers and partners have a non-exclusive, non-commercial right to use submitted works for promotional activities directly related to the award.

Contact Information

  • Website: friedaward.com
  • Email: contest (at) friedaward.com
  • Technical Support: support@picter.com