Deadline: January 17, 2026
Applications are open for the World Press Photo Contest 2026. The annual World Press Photo Contest recognizes and celebrates the best photojournalism and documentary photography produced over the last year. Entering is free and prizes include up to €11,000, inclusion in their annual traveling exhibition, and more.
World Press Photo is an independent non-profit organization that champions the power of photojournalism and documentary photography to deepen understanding of the world’s complexities, promote dialogue, and inspire action. Founded in the Netherlands in 1955, the annual contest and thematic exhibitions reach millions of people in over 80 locations world-wide each year, and their online work reaches millions more.
Prizes
You will also receive:
- €1,000 for each of the winners and an additional €10,000 for the World Press Photo of the Year winner
- FUJIFILM GFX cameras and lenses will be awarded to the World Press Photo of the Year winner and two finalists
- An invitation to a winners’ event in Amsterdam for all winners
- A physical award for all winners
Eligibility
- Open to professional photographers working in the field of journalism and/or documentary photography.
- Team entries of two or more photographers are allowed. Proof of professional status must be provided for each team member.
- The photographer(s) must be the author(s) of the photographs submitted in their name.
- The photographer(s), agent or representative entering on their behalf, must be the copyright holder(s) or have been authorized by the copyright holder(s) to submit the photographs.
Judging Criteria
Without restricting the jury in their deliberations, they ask the jury to consider the following criteria during judging:
- Visual quality: this can include creativity, technical skill and visual style, and the edit of the story (where relevant)
- Story: this refers to the story and/or issues covered in the photographs, its relevance or significance, and the way in which the photographer has chosen to approach the story
- Representation: this refers to the importance of awarding a diverse range of stories and photographers
Application
To enter the contest, follow these steps:
- Create your personal Picter account.
- Register for the 2026 World Press Photo Contest on Picter. This requires your personal data as well as your proof of professional status. If you’re a new entrant (have not entered the contest in the last three years), your registration will be reviewed to ensure it meets the entry rules. They reserve the right to ask for additional information to help clarify your professional status.
- While your registration is under review, you can already upload your work, add captions, metadata, and other information.
- Submit your entries before the deadline of 17 January 2026, 13.00 CET.
For more information, visit World Press Photo Contest.