Vital Impacts Environmental Photography Fellowships and Mentorships 2027
Vital Impacts
Quick Facts
A word from Eli, founder of Rise Africa Scholars
MSc Information Security — Unicaf Scholar
While you wait for a fully funded opportunity, don’t put your education on hold. I completed my MSc through Unicaf — studying online from Nairobi while working full-time. The tuition discount made it genuinely affordable, and the degree is from an accredited UK university.
If you’re serious about advancing your career now, I’d encourage you to explore it. I only recommend what I’ve used myself.
About This Scholarship
Vital Impacts Environmental Photography Fellowships and Mentorships support photographers and visual storytellers developing long-term documentary projects focused on environmental and conservation challenges, with emphasis on stories about communities and solutions rather than just problems. The 2027 programme awards one $20,000 fellowship to an established photographer, six $5,000 fellowships to emerging photographers, and ten mentorships, with one selected fellow receiving an exhibition opportunity at Italy’s Festival of Ethical Photography.
What This Scholarship Covers
- Financial support (up to $20,000 for established photographers, $5,000 for emerging photographers, or mentorship support)
- Mentorship from Vital Impacts community
- Creative independence
- One fellowship recipient receives exhibition at Festival of Ethical Photography in Lodi, Italy
- Festival covers exhibition production costs, installation, international travel, and accommodation for selected fellow
Who Can Apply
- 1 Photographers and visual storytellers from around the world
- 2 For established environmental photographer category: demonstrated experience as established environmental photographer
- 3 For emerging photographer category: emerging photographers from around the world
- 4 For mentorship category: work demonstrates strong potential and would benefit from additional professional guidance
- 5 Meaningful, established relationship with the people, places, and issues being documented
- 6 Prior publication experience not required