Leica Society International (LSI) is proud to announce its tenth annual Photography Grant. The LSI Grant was established in 2017 to provide financial support for deserving photographers who are in the process of creating or completing a personal photographic project. This grant is open to all photographers (where allowed by law) and is made possible through LSI and Leica Camera North America. Applicants must be 18 on or before September 24

Grant Theme: "To Be Seen"

To Be Seen invites photographers to submit in-progress, personal projects that explore what it means to see and be seen.

We are looking for work in still-images that create space for people, places, communities, histories, or issues to be witnessed with care, dignity, and intention.

Strong submissions should show:

• Who or what is being seen
• What has kept this story unseen, unseen clearly, or misrepresented
• What changes when the subject is witnessed with care
• How the photographer creates trust, presence, and respect through the work
• What the images reveal about dignity, identity, agency, or belonging 
• At its core, this theme asks: What becomes possible when a person, story, or community.

Grant Amount: The recipient will receive a grant in the amount of $7500. The grant award will also include a new Leica camera and lens, courtesy of Leica Camera North America. PLEASE NOTE: The grant recipient will be responsible for any taxes, import duties, fees, or any other associated costs with receipt of the camera/lens. LSI will pay for shipping only.

Gallery Exhibit: In addition to the grant, the recipient and first runner up will have the honor of showing their work in an exhibition at the Leica Gallery in Paris. The premier of the exhibit will be held during the LSI Spring Shoot in Paris in May/June of 2027.

Grant Application Information: The number of applications will be limited to 200. All applications have a fee of $35 USD. If an application does not follow the theme or adhere to the application requirements, it will be rejected. This is a global program, where allowed by law. The application period will begin on July 24, 2026, and end on September 4 or when the limit of 200 is reached, whichever comes first.

Selection Process

Our jury will select the winner of the grant. All decisions made by the judges will be final.

LSI reserves the right to amend grant rules and submission guidelines. LSI reserves the right not to award a grant if in the sole judgment of the jury there is no submission warranting a grant.

About LSI

Leica Society International is a member-supported, non-profit 501c3 organization.

How to enter

Portfolio Requirements

1. Applications must include a portfolio of 10 images that illustrate and are part of your project.
2. Include a project description that describes the purpose and nature of the project. In addition, please address the following questions: how you will accomplish the project? What are your goals? What is the impact you hope your project will have?

APPLICATION RULES

• The LSI Photography Grant is open to photographers where allowed by law who are at least 18 years old on or before July 24, 2026.
• Use of a Leica camera is not required; membership in LSI is not required.
• Images must be the work and property of the photographer. Any required releases are the responsibility of the photographer.
• The photographic project must be in progress and must be completed within one year of being awarded.
• By entering, you agree to release and hold harmless the LSI and its officers, directors, and agents from and against any claim or cause of action arising from participation in the Contest.
• Officers and Directors of LSI and past recipients of an LSI grant are not eligible to enter.
• The grant payment and the camera and lens will be delivered after the recipient accepts and signs the LSI Grant Letter of Agreement and the conditions therein. PLEASE NOTE: The grant recipient will be responsible for any taxes, import duties, fees, or associated costs with receipt of the camera/lens. LSI will pay for shipping only.
• Deadline: Applications must be received no later than September 4, 2026, 11:59 PM North American CST, or when the limit of 200 is reached, whichever comes first.

Contact

Contact Richard Rejino at richard@madcrouch.com with any questions.