UNESCO invites applications for the international photo contest “Nomadic Culture of Central Asia: Preserving Traditions and Biodiversity”. Professional and amateur photographers aged 18 and older from any country may submit original photographs taken in Central Asia that highlight pastoral traditions, nomadic communities, livestock diversity, or biodiversity and rangeland landscapes. Finalists’ photographs will be exhibited in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in autumn 2026. The submission deadline is 09 August 2026. Central Asia Photo Contest
media/journalism
Thomson Foundation — Young Journalist Award 2026
The Thomson Foundation invites entries for the Young Journalist Award 2026, an international competition recognizing outstanding young journalists whose work investigates important social issues and holds power to account. Eligible applicants are journalists aged 30 or under from, or reporting in, countries with a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita below US$20 thousand. Applicants must submit three published or broadcast pieces produced during the previous 12 months. Three finalists will be invited to London, United Kingdom, to attend the Foreign Press Association Media Awards, participate in newsroom visits, and receive professional training and networking opportunities. The application deadline is 09 August 2026. Young Journalist Award
Earth Journalism Network — Media Grants to Support Coverage of Marine Conservation
Earth Journalism Network (EJN) invites applications for media grants to newsrooms and media organizations in coastal countries, with particular focus on Ghana, Mexico and the Philippines, to support in-depth and enterprising reporting projects, initiatives to train journalists and other activities designed to increase media coverage and the capacity of journalists to report on 30×30 marine conservation targets. Eligible applicants are journalists, editors, and media organizations from low- and middle-income countries in coastal and island states. Grants of up to US$10 thousand are available to support in-depth reporting projects examining marine protected areas, biodiversity conservation, fisheries, coastal communities, and related policy issues. The application deadline is 10 August 2026. Media Grants
Earth Journalism Network — Reporting Grants on Asia’s Endangered Apes
The Earth Journalism Network invites applications for story grants to investigate ape conservation issues across Asia. The program supports in-depth, original reporting on the threats facing orangutans, gibbons, and other apes in the wild and in captivity. Journalists and media practitioners based in Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam may apply. The initiative will award up to ten grants of up to US$1,500 each to cover essential reporting expenses. The application deadline is 19 July 2026. Link to the announcement
SPIE — International Day of Light Photo Contest
SPIE invites submissions for its annual International Day of Light Photo Contest to highlight the critical role that light and light-based technologies play in nature and daily life. The global competition is open to amateur and professional photographers who are at least 18 years old. Participants can submit up to two images depicting properties of light interacting with the atmosphere and nature, light technology, or human interactions with light. The organization awards a first prize of US$2.5 thousand, a second prize of US$1 thousand, a third prize of US$500, and a special Judges’ Choice for Best of Science prize of US$1 thousand. The deadline for entries is 16 September 2026. Day of Light Photo Contest
Vital Impacts — Environmental Photography Grant
The Vital Impacts Environmental Photography Grant offers one US$20 thousand grant for an established photographer and six US$5 thousand grants for emerging photographers to support 12-month documentary projects focused on local, solution-oriented environmental or wildlife conservation stories. Eligible applicants must be community-rooted photojournalists who collaborate with local stakeholders. The deadline for submission is 16 September 2026. Environmental Photography Grant
Art Partner — Earth Art Contest
The Earth Partner Prize is an international art competition that invites creatives aged 14 to 30 from all backgrounds to submit original works—across any medium including visual art, film, performance, writing, fashion, digital creations, and more—that address the ecological crisis. Each participant may submit one project. Eight finalists will receive cash prizes of US $10 thousand, $5 thousand, or $2 thousand, and an additional 20 participants will receive honorable mentions from a distinguished, global jury. Applications must be submitted by 07 October 2026. Earth Partner Prize
Pulitzer Center — Rainforest Reporting Grant
The Pulitzer Center provides short-term project support to journalists reporting in tropical forests. The Rainforest Reporting Grant supports journalists in three main rainforest regions—the Amazon, Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia. The supported journalism projects will focus on the tropical forests’ role in the overall climate equation and weather patterns, deforestation drivers, and solutions to halt deforestation. The Pulitzer Center will fund costs associated with reporting projects on tropical rainforests in the range of US$8 thousand to US$15 thousand. Grants are made to local journalists based in the tropical rainforest region. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. More
Earth Journalism Network — Ocean Science and Deep-Sea Mining Journalism Workshop
The Earth Journalism Network invites applications for a specialized media workshop in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, designed to improve investigative reporting on ocean science and deep-sea mining. Professional journalists and media practitioners from any media format (print, online, radio, television) are eligible to apply, with preference given to applicants based in Brazil. The program provides a fully funded training experience, covering all costs for economy-class travel, lodging, and meals during the workshop from 03 to 04 September 2026. The deadline for applications is 25 June 2026. Details
Earth Journalism Network — Media Workshop on Biodiversity in Montenegro
The Earth Journalism Network invites applications for its media workshop in Montenegro to strengthen biodiversity reporting and environmental coverage. Professional journalists and media practitioners working in print, online, radio, or television are eligible to apply. Applicants must be from eligible Western Balkan countries, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Kosovo. The program provides a fully funded training experience, covering all costs for travel, accommodation, and meals for approximately 12 selected participants. The application deadline is 01 July 2026. Media Workshop on Biodiversity Montenegro