W. Eugene Smith Fund names judges for 2026 grants

The W. Eugene Smith Fund has announced the judges for its 2026 grant cycle, covering its main grant, student grant and Howard Chapnick Grant. The lineup brings together photographers, educators and documentary journalists ahead of an October 12 application deadline.

Why it matters: - The 2026 judge panel will help decide recipients across three grants tied to humanistic and documentary photography. - The grants support both individual photographers and, through the Howard Chapnick Grant, programs that advance documentary photography education. - The deadline for all applications is October 12, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EDT.

What happened: - The W. Eugene Smith Fund announced the judges for its 2026 annual grants on September 28, 2026. - The grants are the 47th annual W. Eugene Smith Grant, the 9th annual W. Eugene Smith Student Grant and the 29th annual Howard Chapnick Grant. - Marcia Allert, a W. Eugene Smith Fund board member and president, will manage and direct the adjudication process. - The fund said the judges will review hundreds of international entries.

The details: - The 47th annual W. Eugene Smith Grant panel includes Mónica de Miranda, Newsha Tavakolian and Hayley Lohn. - Mónica de Miranda is a visual artist, filmmaker and researcher whose practice engages politics, gender, memory, space and history. - Newsha Tavakolian is a Magnum Photos member, visual artist and educator known for work that explores the human condition. - Hayley Lohn is an artist and photographer based in Vancouver and serves on the W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund board. - The 9th annual W. Eugene Smith Student Grant panel includes Andrea Stultiens, Bandile Gumbi and Dr. Roger Härtl. - Andrea Stultiens is a photographer, educator and researcher, and a senior lecturer at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague. - Bandile Gumbi is head of Market Photo Workshop in Johannesburg. - Dr. Roger Härtl is a spine surgeon in New York, a photography collector and a W. Eugene Smith Fund board member. - The 29th annual Howard Chapnick Grant panel includes Muhammed Muheisen, Paul Gambin and Cristopher Rogel Blanquet. - Muhammed Muheisen is a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, National Geographic photojournalist and Explorer. - Paul Gambin is a visual artist, photographer and National Geographic Explorer based in Cusco, Peru. - Cristopher Rogel Blanquet is a documentary photographer, journalist and educator focused on long-term visual research.

Between the lines: - The judge roster blends working photographers with educators, arts leaders and board members, signaling an emphasis on both artistic rigor and institutional experience. - The inclusion of international judges reflects the global scope of the fund’s applicant pool and the subjects covered by the grants. - The Howard Chapnick Grant remains distinct because it recognizes programs, not individuals, that contribute to documentary photography through education. - Several judges bring direct experience with documentary, human rights and long-form visual work, which suggests the fund is prioritizing socially engaged storytelling.

What's next: - Applications for all three grants remain open until October 12, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EDT. - The fund will select recipients from the 2026 applicant pool after the panel reviews submissions. - The organization also noted support from multiple foundations and partners, including the International Center of Photography and Synergy Communications. - More information is available through the fund’s social channels, including Instagram, Facebook and X.