2026 CALLS FOR ENTRY

OPENING IN 2026

CENTER, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, has provided direct funding and project advancement packages for photographic and lens-based works since 1994.

In 2026, we are proud to offer $16,000 in funding, entry to the Review Santa Fe portfolio reviews, publication within LENSCRATCH, seminars, and more.

Notifications for the Award, Grant & Review Santa Fe applications will be sent around May 2026. Please check your spam and/or subscription preferences to ensure you receive these communications.

View the 2025 Award and Grant winning projects. Subscribe to stay connected for the 2026 offerings, opening in 2026.

EARLY DISCOUNT DEADLINE: 01.30.2026
FINAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 02.28.2026

We accept submissions from photographers and lens-based artists located around the world for all available categories. Work derived from all photographic processes is accepted, as well as video and mixed media that is photo-based.
HOW TO APPLY • 1) Fill out the application form; 2) Prepare your files and a project statement; 3) Upload your application before the final submission deadline of March 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM MT.
APPLICATION FEES • Before February 15 – entry fees start at $35 for most categories. After February 15 – rates increase by $10 per category.

We invite you to join the Members Circle to save on entry fees, free access to seminars, and more.
QUESTIONS? • Visit our FAQs and Guidelines for more information, or contact us at programs@centersantafe.org.

Header Image: “Performing with a shark jaw” from the series Yellow tiger on blue background © Chloé.A, 2025 Project Development Grant

Photographic Awards & Grants

Review Santa Fe Portfolio Reviews

Exhibition in Santa Fe, NM

Photographic Awards & Grants Review Santa Fe Portfolio Reviews Exhibition in Santa Fe, NM

PROJECT LAUNCH GRANT

The Project Launch Grant provides funding to a complete, or nearly completed, documentary project or fine art series.

PACKAGE • $5,000 USD, admission to Review Santa Fe, access to Professional Development Seminars, Publication with LENSCRATCH + more

JUROR • TBA

Image: Detail from “Eva’s Family, Adalynn, 2025” from the series 77 Minutes in Their Shoes © Sarah Sudhoff, 2025 Project Launch Grant

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT GRANT

The Project Development Grant provides funding to a fine art, reportage or documentary work-in-progress.

PACKAGE • $5,000 USD, admission to Review Santa Fe, access to Professional Development Seminars, Publication with LENSCRATCH + more

JUROR • TBA

Image: “Untitled” from the series Yellow tiger on blue background © Chloé.A, 2025 Project Development Grant

ME&EVE AWARD

The Me&Eve Award provides funding to a female and/or LGBTQIA+ identifying photographer 40 years of age and over.

PACKAGE • $1,000 USD, admission to Review Santa Fe, access to Professional Development Seminars, Publication with LENSCRATCH + more

JUROR • TBA

Image: “Untitled” from the series The Shining Lady © Mitsu Maeda, 2025 Me&Eve Award

PERSONAL AWARD

The Personal Award recognizes outstanding images, whether singular or part of a series, that engage in the exploration and expression of the power of self-representation and/or underrepresented experiences.

PACKAGE • Admission to Review Santa Fe, access to Professional Development Seminars, Publication with LENSCRATCH + more

JUROR • TBA

Image: “A Silent Prayer” from the series A Factless Autobiography © Debmalya Ray Choudhuri, 2025 Personal Award

SOCIALLY ENGAGED AWARD

The Socially Engaged Award recognizes outstanding images, whether singular or part of a series, addressing social issues.

PACKAGE • Admission to Review Santa Fe, access to Professional Development Seminars, Publication with LENSCRATCH + more

JUROR • TBA

Image: “Andrew Jin Kotik” from the series The Camps America Built © Haruka Sakaguchi, 2025 Socially Engaged Award

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD

The Environmental Award recognizes outstanding images, whether singular or part of a series, focusing on the state of the ecological environment. Topics may include, but are not limited to, conservation, biodiversity, ecology, climate change or other issues concerning the natural world.

PACKAGE • Admission to Review Santa Fe, access to Professional Development Seminars, Publication with LENSCRATCH + more

JUROR • TBA

Image: “Tilapia beds on the edge of the Salton Sea… because the Salton Sea has no natural outlet and no way to rid itself of solutes leftover from evaporation, the lake has become highly saline over time. Currently, it is roughly twice as salty as the ocean and few species of fish can tolerate the water.” from the series Salton Sea © Alex Welsh, 2025 Environmental Award

EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD

The Callanan Excellence in Teaching Award honors a high school, college or postgraduate teacher’s dedication and commitment to their students and field. Educators in all areas of photographic teaching are eligible, including fine art, documentary, history and criticism.

PACKAGE • $5,000, admission to Review Santa Fe, access to Professional Development Seminars + more

JUROR & 2025 RECIPIENT • Eric T. Kunsman, Photographer, Book Artist, & Assistant Professor, Visual Communications Studies Department, National Technical Institute for the Deaf, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)

Image: “Unknown Number - Corona Motel and RV Park, 711 Main St, Corona, NM 88318” from the series Life-Lines Throughout the US © Eric T. Kunsman, 2025 Teaching Award

BLUE EARTH FISCAL SPONSORSHIP

The Multimedia Award recognizes outstanding storytellers using lens-based media to create narrative-driven projects. The award is open to, but not limited to, photography, video, new media, photojournalism, installation and web-based works.

PACKAGE • Admission to Review Santa Fe, access to Professional Development Seminars, Publication with LENSCRATCH + more

JUROR • TBA

Image: Detail of “Brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) covered in crude oil from BP’s Deepwater Horizon wellhead spill wait to be cleaned at the International Bird Rescue Research Center in Fort Jackson, Louisiana, June, 2010.” From the series Our Warming World © Daniel Beltrá, Blue Earth Fiscally Sponsored Project

2026 REVIEW SANTA FE:
PORTFOLIO REVIEWS

CENTER’s premier juried portfolio review event and conference, the Review Santa Fe Photo Symposium, is designed for photographers seeking audience expansion, critical discussion and community connection.

PACKAGE • Portfolio reviews, participation in the Portfolio Walk public expo, inclusion in the Photographers Listing + more

SELECTION COMMITTEE • 3 Industry professionals, including CENTER Alumni

Questions?

Please visit our FAQs & Guidelines, watch the How-To ENTER CENTER webinar, or contact us at programs@centersantafe.org. Applications will be accepted through the final deadline of February 28, 2026, at 11:59 PM Mountain Time.

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Supporters

CENTER’s programs are made possible in part by New Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Santa Fe Arts Commission, and the 1% Lodgers Tax.