Organizer Information

Operating out of Bologna, Italy, PhMuseum is an international curated platform, incubator, and educational hub dedicated to contemporary photography and visual culture. Through grants, festivals (PhMuseum Days), residencies, and publishing initiatives, PhMuseum supports emerging visual storytellers globally and works actively toward gender equity across the photography industry.

Title & Description

The PhMuseum 2026 Women Photographers Grant (10th Edition): Call for Submissions

PhMuseum has officially launched the 10th Edition of the Women Photographers Grant. Designed to empower female and non-binary photographic artists worldwide, the open call seeks body-of-work submissions centered around a specific theme, narrative, or conceptual framework. Accepting all visual styles—from classic documentary to experimental practices—the grant assigns $11,000 (€10,000) in cash prizes, gear vouchers sponsored by MPB, a solo exhibition at PhMuseum Lab in Bologna, Italy, and international features across Vogue Italia and PhotoVogue Festival 2027 in Milan.

Categories

The open call features an Open Theme across all photographic forms (Documentary, Fine Art, Experimental, Portraiture, Conceptual, and Photojournalism).

Eligibility

  • Demographic Scope: Open strictly to female and non-binary visual creators of all ages and nationalities worldwide.
  • New Generation Category: Open to eligible creators aged 30 years of age or younger at the time of application.
  • Submission Limits: Applicants may present one or more distinct photographic projects (each requiring a separate submission).

Program Benefits & Awards

  • Cash Prize Allocation ($11,000 / €10,000 Total):
    • 1st Prize:$5,500 USD + PhotoVogue Festival projection + promotion on PhMuseum channels.
    • 2nd Prize:$2,200 USD + PhotoVogue Festival projection + promotion on PhMuseum channels.
    • 3rd Prize:$1,100 USD + PhotoVogue Festival projection + promotion on PhMuseum channels.
    • New Generation Prize (Under 30):$2,200 USD + remote consultancy + PhotoVogue Festival projection.
  • MPB Special Mentions: Two selected projects will receive a €2,500 EUR voucher each for pre-owned photo and video gear on mpb.com.
  • Solo Exhibition: One project handpicked by Founding Director Giuseppe Oliverio will be exhibited at PhMuseum Lab in Bologna, Italy in 2027 (includes production, travel, and lodging expenses).
  • Vogue Italia & PhotoVogue Highlights: Online feature interview on Vogue Italia selected by Alessia Glaviano, plus projection of all shortlisted works at PhotoVogue Festival 2027 in Milan.
  • Print Publications: 8–12 page features in PhMuseum's 2027 Annual Magazine (Autumn 2027 release) and a featured placement in Nineteen Hundred Magazine (Issue 3, March 2027) for sports-related work.
  • Portfolio Reviews: 9 selected applicants receive a 30-minute 1-on-1 online portfolio review with a PhMuseum Education mentor.

Application Fee

  • Earlybird Entry Fee (Until September 24, 2026):$35 USD(or €25 EUR).
  • Regular Entry Fee (Until October 15, 2026):$40 USD.

How to Apply

Create or log in to your PhMuseum user account and follow the guided submission form process.

Key Dates

  • Submissions Window Opens: September 8, 2026
  • Earlybird Submission Deadline: September 24, 2026
  • Final Application Deadline: October 15, 2026
  • Judging Window & Shortlist Announcement: October – November 2026 (Shortlist before November 20)
  • Exhibitions & Screenings: June 2027 (PhMuseum Lab) & PhotoVogue Festival 2027

Jury Panel

The 2026 jury panel features Elisa Medde (Editor & Curator), Mariela Sancari (Photographer), Yagazie Emezi (Artist & Photojournalist), Myriam Boulos (Photographer), and Alessia Glaviano (Head of Global PhotoVogue).

Location

The solo exhibition and screenings take place live in Italy at:

PhMuseum Lab (Bologna, Italy) & PhotoVogue Festival (Milan, Italy)

Website Link: https://phmuseum.com/grants/2026-women-photographers-grant

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