The CatchLight Global Fellowship Program is open to storytellers from around the world.

  • Grant, Award, Competition
  • Fully Funding Type
  • Deadline in 3 weeks
https://catchlight.submittable.com/submit/ff15c65c-dc7f-46c7-8b62-7fef8009b5ec/2026-catchlight-global-fellowship#facebook
  November 17, 2025

About Opportunity

The internationally recognized organization CatchLight is accepting applications for its Global Fellowship Program from artists, visual storytellers, and art practitioners interested in developing innovative and socially impactful projects. Proposals will be evaluated based on their capacity to advance creative approaches and present practical solutions within the field of visual storytelling. Reviewers will assess whether each project introduces new distribution methods to reach targeted audiences, employs visual narratives to engage or inform specific communities, or contributes to the long-term sustainability of the discipline by developing systems or models that strengthen the broader media ecosystem. An international selection committee will review all submissions and award the selected fellow a $30,000 grant.

About Organizer

CatchLight is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that grew out of the former PhotoPhilanthropy initiative. Established in 2015, it focuses on the power of visual storytelling to inform people, strengthen connections, and inspire positive change. Its goal is to support and elevate visual storytellers by providing resources, building partnerships, and promoting new ways of sharing visual work, ultimately helping the visual journalism field grow and evolve.

The CatchLight Global Fellowship recognizes visual storytellers whose work has the potential to drive meaningful social change. Through photography, videography, or visionary leadership, the fellowship supports creators who harness the power of visual media to foster impactful audience engagement and develop innovative models for sharing their work.

Details

 

Eligibility:

  • All artists who are long-form storytellers with defined impact projects, leaders aiming to advance or expand the field, or educators developing innovative ways to support emerging storytellers from across the globe are eligible to apply for this fellowship

Participation fee:

  • Application is free


Award/prize: 

  • $30,000 award

  • Personal development opportunities

  • Impact strategy and networking support from CatchLight staff

Application requirements:

  • Online application form in English

  • CV/portfolio 

  • Artist statement

  • A 100-word statement explaining how visual media—and the applicant’s own work—can drive social change, the audiences it seeks to inform, and the human connections it aims to build

  • A 100-word thesis outlining the proposed project and its purpose

  • A 250-word project description

  • A 250-word plan detailing strategies for distribution, audience engagement

  • A 100-word plan describing how impact feedback will be collected

  • A project timeline

  • A budget estimate for the proposed work

  • A submission of 5–10 images of artworks for promotional use

The submission closes:

  • 16 December, 2025

Specifications

Opportunity Types
Grant, Award, Competition
Deadline
16 December, 2025
Funding Type
Fully
Open to
Worldwide