Deadline: March 31, 2026
Applications are open for the IWMF Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award 2026. The Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award was created to honor the life and work of Pulitzer Prize-winning AP photographer and IWMF Courage in Journalism Award winner Anja Niedringhaus (1965-2014), with a generous $1 million gift from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation.
With this Award, the IWMF celebrates the courageous work of women photojournalists like Anja who inspire others to take action and better understand the world. This courageous work manifests in many different forms which may include but is not limited to conflict or frontline reporting.
Award
- The Award winner will be publicly honored, have her work showcased, and receive a cash prize of $20,000.
Eligibility
- The award is open to women, nonbinary and gender nonconforming journalists.
- The candidate must be working as a journalist full-time, and journalism must be their primary profession.
- Both freelance journalists and those affiliated with media organizations are eligible.
Judging Criteria
- Quality of photography
- Composition of portfolio
- Storytelling ability
- Conditions under which the journalist worked
- Candidate statement
- Reflection of Anja Niedringhaus’s values
Application
- Each nomination and application must include candidate information, work samples made up of a series of 12 photographs, and a candidate/nomination statement.
- A candidate may either self-nominate or be nominated by an editor, mentor or journalist peer. If you are nominating someone else, you may submit a full application (including a statement and work samples).
For more information, visit Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award.
