1. General

These Terms and Conditions of Participation (hereinafter: Terms and Conditions) govern the participation in the photo award organised by Leica Camera AG (hereinafter referred to as "Leica") for the awarding of the Leica Oskar Barnack Award (LOBA), the Leica Oskar Barnack Award Newcomer and the LOBA Women Grant (hereinafter referred to as the "Award(s)"). The participating photographers will submit photos and other material, e.g. visual concepts and artist statement, subject to these Terms and Conditions, (hereinafter: Work) to participate in the photography competition. The photography competition will be won by a photographer in each category, whose keen sense of observation best demonstrates the relationship between mankind and the environment, with acute vision and contemporary visual style – creatively and innovatively.

The winner of each category of the Awards will be selected among the participating photographers as appointed by nominators in the Leica Oskar Barnack Award and appointed by selected photo schools and universities in the Leica Barnack Award Newcomer and that have timely submitted their Work according to these Terms and Conditions. For applicants to the LOBA Women Grant, Leica provides direct access to the submission platform upon registration.

2. Nomination to the Awards

The participation in the Awards is exclusively available for the photographers that have been appointed by the nominators, selected photo schools and universities, in the respective category, either professional or newcomer. The nomination process will be completed by February 16th, 2026.

Each nominator is entitled to appoint 3 (in words: three) photographers for the Leica Oskar Barnack Award. For the category Leica Oskar Barnack Award Newcomer, each selected photo school and university is entitled to appoint 3 (in words: three) young "newcomer" photographer (aged 30 or younger).

The nominations are made at the sole discretion of the nominator, selected photo schools and universities, and are exclusively based upon his/her personal assessment and judgment while taking into account the requirements set forward for each Award.

For the category LOBA Women Grant, participation is open through a free submission process. No nomination by schools, universities, or nominators is required. No fees or costs apply.

3. Submission of the Work

Once appointed by the nominator for the Leica Oskar Barnack Award or Leica Oskar Barnack Award Newcomer, the photographer will timely receive from Leica and/or a third party appointed by Leica the login data that will allow the nominated photographer to access the platform of the Awards (which will also be indicated by Leica and/or a third party appointed by Leica); and to submit their Work.

For applicants to the LOBA Women Grant, Leica provides direct access to the submission platform upon registration.

By uploading the Work and thus by submitting his/her participation to the Awards, the photographer acknowledges and accepts these Terms and Conditions. In particular, the photographer is declaring the warranties as described in clause 8.

Changes to the uploaded Work are allowed and can be performed by the photographer until March 30th, 2026 (for LOBA and the LOBA Newcomer), until March 15th, 2026 (for the LOBA Women Grant).

4. Application Period

The Work shall be uploaded to the platform and submitted

LOBA and LOBA Newcomer: between February 25th and March 30th 2026 at 23:59 CET

LOBA Women Grant: between February 11th and March 15th 2026 at 23:59 CET

5. Selection Criteria

For a submission to be considered for the respective Award, it shall comply with the specific requirements set forth for each category. Exclusively submissions fulfilling all the requirements contained in this section and in the application form at the Awards platform can be selected as a winner in the corresponding category.

5.1. Leica Oskar Barnack Award

The submissions for the Leica Oskar Barnack Award shall fulfill the selection criteria in its entirety, in particular following information must be submitted:

a. it shall be a documentary or conceptual Work on the theme of the relationship between mankind and its environment,

b. it shall be composed of a minimum 15 (in words: fifteen) and maximum 20 (in words: twenty) photographs,

c. at least 5 of these photographs shall be taken in 2025 or later,

d. it shall include a

synopsis about the Work itself (in English language), and
a biography and/or actual CV of the photographer (in English language),

e. the photographs must not be edited in any way, however basic raw conversions (i.e., modifications regarding color intensity and/or cropping, as well as color corrections and adjustments of light and shadows) are allowed,

f. it must not be used artificial intelligence ("AI"), neither to create nor to edit the photographs nor in any other way,

g. it shall be unpublished in its whole at the time of submission and remain unpublished until the Leica Oskar Barnack Award ceremony. For the avoidance of doubts, the complete Work as submitted and eventually as will be awarded with the Leica Oskar Barnack Award shall never been published in its entirety (e.g. in form of book or exhibition, etc.). Nevertheless, it is expressly allowed that only few photographs out of the submitted Work have been published earlier,

h. it shall not have been awarded in other contest at the time of the application and throughout until the Leica Oskar Barnack Award ceremony, in the same scope as submitted to the Leica Oskar Barnack Award.

5.2 Leica Oskar Barnack Award Newcomer

The submissions for the Leica Oskar Barnack Award Newcomer shall fulfill the selection criteria in its entirety, as follows:

a. the photographer shall be 30 (in words: thirty) years old or younger at the end of the application period according to section 4.,

b. it shall be a documentary or conceptual Work on the theme of the relationship between mankind and its environment,

c. it shall be composed of a minimum 15 (in words: fifteen) and maximum 20 (in words: twenty) photographs,

d. at least 5 of these photographs shall be taken in 2025 or later,

e. it shall include a

synopsis about the Work itself in English language, and
a biography and/or actual CV of the photographer in English language,

f. the photographs must not be edited, however basic raw conversions (i.e., modifications regarding color intensity and/or cropping, as well as color corrections and adjustments of light and shadows) are allowed,

g. it must not be used artificial intelligence, neither to create nor to edit the photographs nor in any other way,

h. it shall be unpublished in its whole at the time of submission and remain unpublished until the Leica Oskar Barnack Award ceremony. For the avoidance of doubts, the complete Work as submitted and eventually as will be awarded with the Leica Oskar Barnack Award shall never been published in its entirety (e.g. in form of book or exhibition, etc.). Nevertheless, it is expressly allowed that only few photographs out of the submitted Work have been published earlier,

i. it shall not have been awarded in other contests at the time of the application and throughout until the Leica Oskar Barnack Award ceremony, in the same scope as submitted to the Leica Oskar Barnack Award.

5.3 LOBA Women Grant

The submissions for the LOBA Women Grant shall fulfill the selection criteria in its entirety, as follows:

a. the applicant shall be a woman aged 21 (in words: twenty-one) years or older at the end of the application period,

b. the applicant shall pursue photography professionally or with a professional intention,

c. a visual concept in the form of a mood board must be submitted,

d. photos of the applicant (not necessarily part of the planned project) must be included,

e. an artist statement (in English language) of no more than 500 words (approx. 3,000 characters) must be submitted, clearly outlining the thematic idea, photographic approach, and societal relevance of the project,

f. it must not be used artificial intelligence, neither to create nor to edit the photographs nor in any other way,

6. Awarding process

6.1 Pre-selection

Approximately beginning of May 2026, a pre-jury will select from all the Works that fulfilled the selection criteria for the Leica Oskar Barnack Award the best Works presented. The list of the selected photographers will be presented to the final jury (hereinafter after referred to as "Selected Photographers").

The pre-jury will as well, at its sole discretion, select the best Works among those that have fulfilled the selection criteria for the Leica Oskar Barnack Award Newcomer. The list of the selected newcomers will be presented to the final jury (hereinafter after referred to as "Selected Newcomers").

The pre-jury will further, at its sole discretion, select the best submissions among those that have fulfilled the selection criteria for the LOBA Women Grant. The list of the selected Women Grant photographer s will be presented to the final jury (hereinafter after referred to as "Selected Women Grant Photographers").

6.2 Shortlist

The final jury will decide which of the Selected Photographers shall be included in the shortlist, which shall be composed by up to 12 (in words: twelve) Selected Photographers.

Likewise, the final jury will decide which of the Selected Newcomers shall be included in the shortlist, which shall be composed by up to 3 (in words: three) Selected Newcomers.

Further, the final jury will decide which of the Selected Women Grant Photographers shall be included in the shortlist, which shall be composed by up to 3 (in words: three) Selected Women Grant Photographers.

All three shortlists will be made public.

6.3 Winners

The winner of each category will be selected out of the respective shortlist by the final jury.

7. Prize

The winner of each category of the Awards will be informed by telephone and/or email. The prizes will be awarded at the official awards ceremony. The winners must keep this information confidential until its official release by Leica.

7.1. Leica Oskar Barnack Award

The winner of the Leica Oskar Barnack Award will receive a cash prize of EUR 40,000 (in words: forty thousand) as well as at her/his discretion a Leica M or SL camera and lens, worth approx. EUR 10,000 (in words: ten thousand).

7.2. Leica Oskar Barnack Award Newcomer

The winner of the Leica Oskar Barnack Award Newcomer will receive a cash prize of EUR 10,000 (in words: ten thousand) and will be awarded with a Leica Q Camera worth approx. EUR 6,000 (in words: six thousand).

7.3. LOBA Women Grant

The winner of the LOBA Women Grant will receive a grant of EUR 10,000 (in words: ten thousand) for the implementation of her proposed project. In addition, the winner will receive a Leica Q camera worth approx. EUR 6,000 (in words: six thousand). The winner will also benefit from professional mentoring and tutoring during the project's production phase.

8. Warranties of the participating photographers

With my submission I declare that

FOR applicants of the Leica Oskar Barnack Award and Leica Oskar Barnack Award Newcomer:

I have personally taken the submitted photos,
I have completed at least five of the photographs of the submitted Work in 2025 or later,
I am the sole copyright holder of the submitted photos or have been duly authorised by the copyright holder,
the submitted photographs have not been edited, except allowed basic raw conversions, i.e., modifications regarding color intensity and/or cropping, as well as color corrections and adjustments of light and shadows,
I have not used any kind of AI, neither to create, nor to edit the photographs or in any other way,
no third party can assert any rights or objections in connection with a publication,
if the photos are submitted on behalf or in representation of a photographer, I declare that I have been duly authorized by the photographer to accept the Terms and Conditions of Participation in his/her name. Likewise, I declare that the photographer accepts these Terms and Conditions of Participation.

Provided that my submitted Work either wins in the respective category or belongs to the shortlisted Works:

by request of Leica, I will submit the photos in high resolution for the purpose of ensuring best reproduction quality (e.g. prints for the exhibitions) and highest image quality for the platform on which they are being featured (e.g. competition website).

Additional warranty for applicants for the category Leica Oskar Barnack Award Newcomer:

I am not older than 30 (in words: thirty) years.

For applicants for the category LOBA Women Grant:

I confirm that I am a woman aged 21 or older and that I pursue photography in a professional capacity or with professional intent.
I have personally created the visual concept, taken the submitted photos and the artist statement.
the submitted photographs have not been edited, except allowed basic raw conversions, i.e., modifications regarding color intensity and/or cropping, as well as color corrections and adjustments of light and shadows,
I have not used any kind of AI, neither to create, nor to edit the photographs or in any other way,

Provided that I win the LOBA Women Grant:

I will use the grant of EUR 10,000 (in words: ten thousand) and Leica Q camera for the implementation of the proposed project as well as participate in the professional mentoring and tutoring during the project's production phase. After the production phase, I will submit the photos in high resolution for the purpose of ensuring best reproduction quality (e.g. prints for the exhibitions) and the highest image quality for the platform on which they are being featured (e.g. competition website).

9. Granting of rights

In the event that my Work is included in the shortlist and/or in the event that I am awarded with any Award, I hereby authorize Leica and third parties appointed by Leica, unlimited as to time, territory and content, irrevocably and also royalty-free,

to use my Work including the photos produced during the implementation project of the LOBA Women Grant in any known and in the future known formats for press, marketing and communication purposes in connection with the Leica Oskar Barnack Award and/or Leica Oskar Barnack Award Newcomer and/or LOBA Women Grant and any exhibitions planned either related to or in connection with the Awards,
to use, display or project the Work including the photos produced during the implementation project of the LOBA Women Grant in the context of the Leica Oskar Barnack Award and/or Leica Oskar Barnack Award Newcomer and/or LOBA Women Grant and any exhibitions planned (e.g. in Leica Galleries, Leica Stores, at photo festivals, etc.) either related to or in connection with the Awards,
to create a projection and to subsequently show a projection of the Work including the photos produced during the implementation project of the LOBA Women Grant in the context of the Leica Oskar Barnack Award and/or Leica Oskar Barnack Award Newcomer and/or LOBA Women Grant and the exhibitions planned afterwards worldwide, either through Leica or through third parties (e.g. in Leica Galleries, Leica Stores, at photo festivals, etc.) and on the Internet,
to publish the Work including the photos produced during the implementation project of the LOBA Women Grant in the magazine LFI Special Edition: Leica Oskar Barnack Award, specifying the competition,
to print and curate the Work including the photos produced during the implementation project of the LOBA Women Grant for exhibitions,
to display the Work including the photos produced during the implementation project of the LOBA Women Grant, or to have them displayed, within the scope of exhibitions, specifying the Awards.

If feasible, credit shall be given by stating either (i) my name, or, upon my explicit request, (ii) my pseudonym (artist's name).

If I am the winner of either category of the Awards, I agree that the produced set of the Work including the photos produced during the implementation project of the LOBA Women Grant (e.g. prints, edited photos) will pass to the ownership of Leica and thereby become part of the historical Leica archive dedicated to the culture of photography. Leica is not entitled to sell these photos without my consent.

10. Data Protection

All personal data of the participating photographers are processed by Leica in compliance with the statutory regulations. Further information is provided in the Privacy Policy.

11. Miscellaneous

Any recourse to courts of law is excluded.

The laws of the Federal Republic of Germany are exclusively applicable.

Should individual provisions of these Terms and Conditions of Participation be or become invalid, the validity of the remaining Terms and Conditions of Participation shall remain unaffected thereby.

Leica may at any time change these Terms and Conditions of Participation without separate notification.