JGS Fellowship for Photography 2026

The JGS Fellowship for Photography is administered by the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), one of the largest artist-service organizations in the United States. The fellowship is funded by JGS — the Joy of Giving Something Foundation, a private foundation supporting photography. The geographic scope is unusual: the fellowship is reserved for photographers working in New York State outside of New York City, addressing the relative concentration of photo-funding inside Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Five fellowships of $8,000 each are awarded annually. The funds are unrestricted, supporting whatever expense advances the artist's practice — materials, equipment, studio rent, travel, or time off.

Eligible work spans traditional and experimental photography, including light-based work, alternative processes, and any form in which photography or photographic techniques are pivotal. The breadth of accepted media reflects the fellowship's commitment to photography as a contemporary practice rather than a single tradition.

Eligibility requires applicants to be 25 years or older, current full-time residents of eligible New York State regions for at least 12 months, and not enrolled in a degree-seeking program. Previous JGS recipients are not eligible to reapply.

Applications are free and submitted through Submittable. Each applicant submits 5 to 10 images. The 2026 deadline is May 19, with results announced in summer 2026.