Guidelines

Distribution Grants

Application Guidelines  |  Grantee List

Note:  The 2009 proposal deadline has passed.  Updated guidelines will be posted in December 2009.

Traditional media offer limited opportunities for presenting documentary photographs in a way that creates a meaningful and lasting impact on the communities or issues addressed in the images. The Open Society Institute's Documentary Photography Project is offering a grant to documentary photographers who have already completed a significant body of work on issues of social justice to collaborate with a partner organization and propose new ways of using photography as a tool for positive social change.

All photographers must have another entity (such as a nonprofit, NGO, or community-based organization) that will work with the photographer to design an innovative distribution strategy that targets specific communities and advocates for social change. The partner must engage with the photographer to accomplish these goals-and not just fund or publish the project.

Grants of $5,000 to $30,000 will be awarded.

Please consult our grantee list for a description of previously funded projects.

Eligibility

• Proposals must present strong images that are contextualized, when necessary, with text, sound, or other media.
• Proposals must address a current social justice issue. Preference will be given to work that coincides with the issues and geographical areas that concern OSI.
• Proposals must engage a specific audience, community, and/or site and use creative distribution strategies that are tailored specifically for that context.
• Applicants must partner with an organization that will provide administrative, programmatic, and financial and/or in-kind support.

The following projects are not eligible for funding:

• Projects that involve the making of new photographs;
• Projects whose only goal is to raise awareness in a general way;
• Book production;
• Gallery exhibitions that serve only the interests of the photographer or the gallery;
• Dated material, unless the project serves a historical purpose; and
• Documentary film or video.

OSI cannot support lobbying activities. Projects that include lobbying activities will not be funded. OSI does not discriminate based on any characteristics that may be protected by applicable law.

Selection Criteria

When evaluating proposals, the selection committee will consider the following:

Photographs

• Are the photographs well-executed and compelling?
• Is the issue addressed in the photographs of major global, national, or local significance?
• Do the images adequately portray the issue addressed in the project?
• Do the images work well with the distribution plan to realize the larger goals of the project?

Distribution Plan

• Is the mode of distribution unique and innovative in its approach?
•  Is the mode of distribution designed in a way that will resonate with the target audience, encourage community engagement, and achieve positive social change?
• Does the distribution plan provide a replicable model for other photographers?

Applicant

• Does the applicant demonstrate the skills, experience, and discipline needed to accomplish the project within the proposed timeframe and budget? 
• Does the applicant have a demonstrated commitment to and understanding of the issues he or she proposes to address?
• Does the applicant have experience working with the communities targeted in the project?

Partner Organization

• Does the partner organization demonstrate a successful track record reaching or mobilizing the target audience?
• Is the partner organization committed, in terms of time and financial and/or in-kind resources, to working with the photographer to achieve social change?

Budget and Timeline

• Are the budget and timeline reasonable?
• Is the project feasible given the amount of time and financial resources budgeted?

Application Instructions & Checklist

Applications must be submitted through our online application system at http://oas.soros.org/oas/. On the online application system, please register and choose "Individual Grants" and select "Documentary Photography - Distribution Grant." A complete application consists of uploading responses to the following eight sections of the online application.

• Applicant Information (enter contact information and upload resume)
• Project Summary (enter answers to all 4 questions describing your project)
• Applicant Questions (answer and upload all 7 questions as a Word document)
• Partner Organization Questions (enter contact information, upload a PDF of the letter of commitment, which should answer all 5 questions)
• Budget (enter answers to all 3 questions and upload itemized budget)
• Timeline (enter project begin and end date and upload detailed timeline)
• Examples of Work (upload 15 low-res jpegs, captions, accompanying text, and any additional material)
• Letters of recommendation (enter contact information and upload letters of recommendation from 2 references)

Deadline

Please note:  The deadline for 2009 has passed.  The next deadline for applying for a Distribution Grant will be June 2010.  Updated guidelines will be posted in December 2009. 

For those who submitted an online application by the June 19, 2009 deadline:  Semi-finalists will be selected in late summer 2009 and may be contacted at that time with requests for additional information. Grant recipients will be notified in September.

Contact Information

If you have any questions, please contact Yukiko Yamagata at yyamagata@sorosny.org.