In 2009, amidst an extraordinary crisis in media and photojournalism, Edouard Carmignac established the Carmignac Photojournalism Award to encourage photographers in the field. This annual award supports the creation of an investigative picture reportage on human rights violations and geopolitical challenges around the world.
The Fondation Carmignac gives both financial and personal resources to help the award laureate execute their project. The foundation also publishes a monograph and conducts a traveling exhibition to highlight the difficulties and challenges confronting the modern world. Furthermore, at the conclusion of each publication, four images from the laureates are added to the Carmignac archive.
The 15th Carmignac Award sponsors a 9-month investigative picture report on human rights breaches and the impact of intense fishing in Southeast Asia.
The Support for Laureates of the Carmignac Photojournalism Award
The laureates of the Carmignac Photojournalism Award receive a €50,000 grant to carry out a comprehensive 9-month field report. This generous grant enables them to focus fully on their investigative work, addressing critical human rights violations and geo-strategic issues without financial constraints. During this period, the Fondation Carmignac provides continuous support, ensuring the laureates have the necessary resources to complete their projects. This includes logistical assistance, expert advice, and any additional aid required to navigate challenging environments and complex situations.
Upon their return, the Fondation Carmignac not only showcases the laureates’ work through a traveling exhibition but also creates a dedicated website. These platforms aim to maximize the visibility of the photo reportage, bringing global attention to the documented issues and fostering a broader understanding of the crises and challenges highlighted by the laureates’ work. This comprehensive support structure not only amplifies the impact of the laureates’ findings but also contributes to the ongoing discourse on human rights and geo-strategic issues, underlining the essential role of investigative photojournalism in today’s world.
Eligibility and Participation Criteria for the Carmignac Photojournalism Award
The Carmignac Photojournalism Award is an inclusive project that welcomes photographers from all around the world, regardless of nationality. Photographers may participate independently or as part of a collaborative team. This allows for a wide range of entries, from solo projects to collaborative endeavors that draw on the strengths and expertise of numerous photographers. Collaborative entries can provide a richer and more nuanced viewpoint on the investigative effort, increasing the depth and impact of the reporting.
Furthermore, one of the defining qualities of the Carmignac Photojournalism Award is that participants are not required to present a press card. This eliminates a potential barrier to admission, making the award available to a broader range of great photographers, including freelancers and those who are not formally linked with media companies. This inclusive approach ensures that a diverse range of views and experiences can contribute to the critical work of recording human rights violations and geopolitical challenges around the world.
Selection and Exhibition Process for the Carmignac Photojournalism Award
The Carmignac Photojournalism Award selection procedure is tough and recognized. In September 2024, a jury of modern photography professionals and subject matter specialists will meet in Paris to assess the submissions and determine the winning project.
Timeline and Project Execution
The winning project will commence in October 2024 and run through May 2025. During this nine-month period, the laureate will conduct an in-depth field investigation, capturing powerful images and narratives that shed light on critical human rights violations and geo-strategic issues.
Exhibition and Website
Upon the completion of the project, the Fondation Carmignac will produce a traveling exhibition to showcase the laureate’s work. This exhibition will tour various locations, bringing the powerful images and stories to a wide audience and sparking important conversations about the issues documented. Additionally, a dedicated website will be created to further amplify the project’s reach. This online platform will feature the complete photo reportage, offering viewers around the world access to the work and its impactful narratives.
How to Apply
If you are interested and meet the requirements, you can apply for the Carmignac Photojournalism Award by going to the Fondation Carmignac application page at fs23.formsite.com. The application procedure is divided into numerous phases, each meant to collect important information about you and your proposed project. Here’s a full breakdown of what each section includes:
Personal Contacts
In this section, you will provide your personal details to help the foundation identify and communicate with you. Information required are:
- Your full legal name.
- Your current nationality.
- Date of Birth
- Your complete residential address and the country where you currently live.
- Your primary email address and phone number
Profile
This section focuses on your professional background and achievements.
- Website and/or Social Networks
- A brief biography outlining your career, experience, and accomplishments.
- A PDF document listing your notable publications, exhibitions, and awards that highlight your expertise and contributions to the field of photography.
- A PDF portfolio showcasing a selection of your best photographic work. This should demonstrate your skills, style, and the quality of your previous projects.
Project
Here, you will provide detailed information about the project you wish to undertake if awarded the scholarship. You’ll provide the…
- Project Title: concise and descriptive title for your project.
- Project Description (500 characters minimum): A detailed description of your proposed project. Explain the objectives, significance, and approach of your investigative photo reportage. This section should clearly convey your vision and how you plan to execute the project.
- PDF (optional): PDF document that may include additional information, such as a more comprehensive project proposal, preliminary research, or any other relevant materials that support your application.
For more detailed information about the application process, eligibility criteria, and additional resources, please visit the Fondation Carmignac website.
