Photo Book Grants

The Photo Book Grants, administered by the Hasselblad Foundation, are part of a strategic effort to advance the photobook as an essential medium within contemporary photographic practice and research. Since 2025, the program has expanded significantly, with the Foundation doubling the grant amount and opening the opportunity to international applicants. The Foundation is a Sweden-based organization dedicated to supporting photography through exhibitions, publications, research initiatives, and grants. By facilitating the production and dissemination of photo books, the Foundation acknowledges the unique role these publications play in both visual storytelling and critical discourse in photography. Each year, two grants of SEK 100,000 are awarded to support the development and publication of unpublished photobook projects. The grants are aimed at professionals working in photography and its related fields, such as photographers, artists, curators, researchers, and writers. Applications can be submitted by individuals or collectives, and the program is open globally. The funding is intended to support books that are substantially edited and designed but not yet published. Retrospective funding is not available, and the book must remain unpublished at the time of submission. A digital book dummy in PDF format is required, and only digital submissions are accepted. Projects in any language may be submitted, although accompanying descriptions must be in English. Books with non-English or non-Swedish content must include translated text in the project description if the text is central to the work. The Foundation outlines several preferred criteria for consideration, including collaborations with researchers or academic institutions, publications addressing social issues or demonstrating social engagement, innovative design approaches, and a commitment to environmental sustainability. These values align with the Foundation’s broader mission to support photography that engages critically with the world and demonstrates artistic innovation. The grant is not limited to any particular aesthetic or geographical focus, offering applicants considerable flexibility in the nature and form of their proposals. Grantees must acknowledge the Foundation’s support in the final publication by including the Hasselblad Foundation’s logo and naming it as a co-funder. Additionally, five signed copies of the finished book must be submitted to the Foundation. Recipients are also expected to participate in grant-related activities such as the award ceremony and other promotional or educational events organized by the Foundation. Applications are submitted through the digital platform Picter, and physical copies or mockups of the book are not required. If a mockup is included in the application, the applicant must specify whether it is physical or digitally generated. The submission deadline for the 2026 cycle is April 1, 2026, at 23:59. Final decisions will be communicated via email in June 2026. This timeline allows applicants ample time to finalize their digital dummies and ensure compliance with submission requirements. Overall, the Photo Book Grants represent a significant opportunity for photography professionals seeking support for book projects that are conceptually rich, socially engaged, and ready for production. The Hasselblad Foundation’s longstanding commitment to photographic excellence makes this an influential and well-regarded grant in the international photography community.