photo.circle.grant.2015
photo.circle announces the launch of a new photography grant program in association with Climate+Change, to produce in-depth work on social, political, economic, environmental and other issues related to climate change.
The grant will accept proposals from photographers and visual journalists for still photography projects.
This year, two grantees will receive a grant of Rs. 1,00,000 each. In addition to this, grantees will receive a 4-day orientation session by climate change experts and on-going support through mentoring and content inputs. Grantees will receive support from photo.circle to publish and exhibit produced works after the grant period.
Application deadline is 28 February 2015. Grantees will be notified about their selection by 10 March 2015. Selected grantees will be required to attend a 4-day orientation during which they will be introduced to a variety of contemporary issues related to climate change. They will then need to submit a project proposal by 30 March outlining their theme/topic and location of choice, and a rough work plan and schedule. Each grantee will then have four months to work on their projects. By 31 July 2015, grantees will have to submit an in-depth body of work (minimum 40 images) and a 1000 word introductory text and captions (in Nepali or English).
Grantees will retain copyrights to all works produced, and avail photo.circle and all Climate+Change partners including ICIMOD, GlacierWorks and the US Embassy in Nepal non-exclusive rights to publish, exhibit and share the work through social media for a two year period.
Grant will be disbursed in two installments. 80% of the grant amount will be disbursed as soon as the grant agreement is signed and 20% of the grant amount will be disbursed after the final submission at the end of July 2015.
TIMELINE
Grant application deadline 28 February 2015
Selection notification 10 March 2015
Orientation 17 – 20 March 2015
Project proposal deadline 30 March 2015
Final submission deadline 31 July 2015
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must be either Nepali citizens or of Nepali origin to apply. Any photographer or visual journalist with an interesting, well researched idea will be considered. Women photographers are strongly encouraged to apply. Staff members of photo.circle are not eligible to apply.
JURY
For the first PHOTO.CIRCLE.GRANT, we have assembled a prestigious Jury comprised of media practitioners of the highest caliber in Nepal, the region and the world;
Kunda Dixit, Editor/ Publisher of Nepali Times, Nepal
Kunda Dixit is one of Nepal’s most interesting and high profile journalists. He is the founding editor and publisher of the Nepali Times, one of Nepal’s leading English language weekly newspapers. Dixit is also a leading figure on the Press in Asia. He served as the Asia-Pacific Director of the Inter Press Service from 1990 to 1996 and Director of the Panos Institute South Asia from 1997 to 2000. He is also the author of several books, including Dateline Earth: Journalism As If the Planet Mattered and a trilogy on the People’s war in Nepal.
Abir Abdullah, Photographer, European Press Agency, Bangladesh
Abir Abdullah is currently a photographer for the European Press Agency in Bangladesh. He has served as Vice Principal of Pathshala South Asian and on the Jury of World Press Photo. His work has appeared in numerous publications worldwide, including The New York Times, Asia Week, Der Spiegel, The Los Angeles Times, The Guardian and the book New Stories, published by World Press Photo. Among his many achievements are winning the 2001 Phaidon 55 photography competition, and first prizes in South Asian Journalists’ Association Photo Awards and the Asian Press Photo Contest. His work has been exhibited around the world, from Mexico and Germany to Iran, China and the USA, as well as in his home country Bangladesh.
Paolo Patrizi, Documentary Photographer, Italy
Paolo Patrizi is a documentary photographer, whose recent stories explore the underlying themes and contradictions between traditions and modernity and cultural disconnections produced from rapid economic growth. Paolo’s subjects range from portraiture and feature projects to social issues and politics. His focus is always on the human and social aspects of a story. Today, his work is featured in leading publications and exhibited internationally.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
To apply, photographers should submit;
■ A letter of motivation (2 page max) explaining why you are interested in applying for this grant. This letter can be in English or Nepali.
■ Submit a portfolio of minimum 15 and maximum 30 images that represent your interest in social issues and ability to craft a strong visual narrative.
■ An updated CV (2 page max)
Please put all this into one folder, name the folder your full name, zip it and email it to us at mail@photocircle.com.np. Write Grant Application in the subject of your email.
Application deadline 28 February 2015
For questions or concerns, please write to mail@photocircle.com.np
* * * * *
FAQs
I am a student, can I apply?
Yes! There is no minimum or maximum age limit for this grant.
Will there be a tax deduction in the total grant amount?
No, grantees will receive the total grant amount of Rs. 100,000.
When will I receive the grant money?
The grant will be disbursed in two installments. 80% of the grant amount will be disbursed as soon as the grant agreement is signed by 30 March 2015 and 20% of the grant amount will be disbursed after the final submission at the end of July 2015.
What can I use the grant money for?
Grantees are free to use the grant money for pretty much anything they need to create new work, for example; to pay for travel expenses, to buy new equipment, to hire an assistant or translator, to buy film or scan their negatives, etc. We do not impose any restrictions. We expect grant funds to be put to good use. We also expect a very strong body of work to be produced.
Do I have to submit receipts or a financial report?
No! This is a hassle free grant. We trust that each grantee will put their grant money to good use.
Do I need to make new work or can I continue an exiting body of work?
You have to make new work.
What do I need to submit at the end of the grant period?
Grantees will need to submit high resolution files for a body of work that includes minimum 40 images and maximum 100 images. In addition to this, grantees will need to submit a 1000 word introductory text and captions in Nepali or English.
Can I make more than one body of work?
That is up to each grantee but we strongly recommend that grantees take the time and resources to build one strong body of work in the four-month grant period rather than spreading themselves too thin.
Do I have to submit my project idea when I apply?
No, the application process does not require you to submit your project idea when you apply, however if you have ideas you are free to mention them in our letter of motivation. Selected grantees will be asked to submit project ideas after they are notified of selection.
How can I apply for this grant?
To apply, you need to submit;
1. A letter of motivation (2 page max) explaining why you are interested in applying for this grant. This letter can be in English or Nepali.
2. Submit a portfolio of minimum 15 and maximum 30 images that represent your interest in social issues and ability to craft a strong visual narrative.
3. An updated CV (2 page max)
4. Please put all this into one folder, name the folder your full name, zip it and email it to us at mail@photocircle.com.np. Write Grant Application in the subject of your email.
5. Application deadline 28 February 2015
A grant application will be considered incomplete if you have not submitted all of the above