Save Our Seas Ocean Storytelling Photography Grant 2026: $2,000 Prize Plus Paid Assignment
Two paid marine photography assignments for emerging storytellers
The Save Our Seas Foundation has opened its 2026 Ocean Storytelling Photography Grant to worldwide applicants until 15 November 2026 at 18:00 Central European Time. The international grant seeks compelling narratives about ocean ecosystems, conservation, fisheries and coastal communities, not only underwater wildlife images. Applicants must be early-career photographers with no more than five years of professional work in a photography-related discipline. Save Our Seas particularly encourages women, gender-diverse creators and storytellers from historically underrepresented regions without excluding other qualifying applicants.
Two awardees, $2,000 each, plus a separately paid assignment
The 2026 call identifies two winners. Each receives a $2,000 cash prize and a paid approximately three-week assignment documenting an SOSF-supported marine conservation or research project during 2027. The foundation covers the assignment travel and expenses and provides mentorship by Thomas Peschak, Kathy Moran and Jennifer Samuel. The published funding guidance also gives a working assignment fee of $350 per day; the employment/assignment payment is not simply included in the $2,000 prize. Selected work may be published as a photo essay and presented at an international conference or exhibition.
The entry is about storytelling, not a single postcard photograph
Applicants complete one English-language online form through the organisation’s funding portal with a portfolio of 20 photographs and a coherent photo story of ten images. Only one application is accepted per person or team, and current recipients of another SOSF grant may not apply for a new grant. The jury evaluates skill in sequencing, context, narrative ethics and respectful access to environmental stories. Candidates should preserve subject releases, consent for people photographed, captions, dates and original files for the application and the eventual field assignment.
A scientific-conservation foundation with a track record
Save Our Seas Foundation has supported hundreds of marine conservation projects worldwide and publishes previous photographic grantees and stories. Its grant conditions state that the photographer retains copyright, while SOSF receives time-limited exclusive usage of commissioned materials and continuing noncommercial licences for specific purposes. The winner should review those publication and image-use terms, field safety, travel insurance and the non-negotiable grant agreement before accepting an assignment.
Official application instructions and primary sources
Information checked 23 October 2026. Confirm all dates, prices, eligibility and content rights against the latest official instructions before applying.