1ST PHOTOBOOK GRANTS
OPEN CALL 2026
FEBRUARY 17 – MAY 17
Initiated, designed, and organized by the Eyes Wide Open association (a cultural production entity of The Eyes label) with the support of the Ministry of Culture and the SAIF, the First Photo Book Grant program is intended for photographers who wish to propose a first book project with the support of an independent French publisher.
The First Photo Book Grant Program aims to offer support to photographers and their publishers in bringing their first books to fruition. This support program is divided into three categories, each of which awards a grant of €5,000 (including all taxes and fees) to one winner:
Grant dedicated to a photographer from a country in the “Global South” (Africa, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Middle East)
SAIF grant dedicated to a French photographer or a photographer residing in France
Grant dedicated to a female photographer of any nationality
FAQ
HOW TO APPLY
To participate, photographers must provide a letter of commitment from a publisher. Applications are open to solo photographers and duos. Collective projects are not eligible. The administrative and artistic application must be sent to the following addressbplp@theeyes.eu
Who is eligible for the first photo book grants?
The Eyes Wide Open first photo book grants are open to all photographers, regardless of age, who wish to submit a first book project with the support of an independent French publisher.
The program is divided into three categories, each responding to a specific need:
• SAIF grant dedicated to a French photographer or a photographer residing in France
• Grant dedicated to a female photographer of any nationality
• Grant dedicated to a photographer from the Global South (Africa, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Middle East)
WHAT IS THE AMOUNT OF THE GRANT
The Eyes Wide Open First Photo Book Grants offer support for three book projects led by a photographer and their publisher, with €5,000 awarded to each project.
How many winners will be selected?
Three grants will be awarded to three winners in September 2026. Publishing houses may not submit publication projects on their own behalf (it is strongly recommended that a single publisher not be associated with more than three submitted projects).
I don’t have a publisher, can I still participate?
The grants for the first photo book will be awarded to a photographer accompanied by a French publisher. To be eligible to participate, the photographer must provide a LETTER OF COMMITMENT from a French publisher. If you do not know any French publishers, a list is available on our website and on the France Photo Book website.
I have already self-published a book, can I still participate?
If you have self-published one or more books, you can participate in the First Photo Book Grant Program.
These grants are supported by the Ministry of Culture and the SAIF.
