Joana Biarnés Scholarship for Young Photojournalists 2026

The Joana Biarnés Scholarship supports young photojournalists in Spain with €8,000 to carry out an in-depth photographic investigation over nine months. Now in its eighth edition, it is run by the Fundación Photographic Social Vision in honour of Joana Biarnés, the first female photojournalist in Spain. The winner also receives mentoring, a loan of camera equipment and guaranteed publication or exhibition of the finished work. Applying is free, and the deadline is 16 November 2026.

The scholarship is for photographers aged 18 to 35 with tax residence in Spain, working on social issues within the country.

About Joana Biarnés

Joana Biarnés (1935–2018) broke into a male-dominated profession in the 1950s and 1960s, photographing Spanish society, celebrities and news for the press. The foundation looks after her archive and created the scholarship in 2019 to fulfil her wish to support new generations of photojournalists.

Who Can Apply for the Joana Biarnés Scholarship?

• Photojournalists aged 18 to 35, inclusive
• With tax residence in Spain
• Individuals or teams, where every member meets the requirements
• One proposal per person

Projects must be at an early stage, with most of the photographic research still to be done, and must not have received prizes or awards before.

Application Fee

Free.

What Does the Winner Receive?

• €8,000 to carry out the project
• Mentoring from an experienced tutor for nine months
• Loan of photographic equipment from Foto Ruano Pro
• Guaranteed dissemination of the final project in the most suitable format

Up to three finalists, including the winner, receive a portfolio review with a foundation collaborator, a narrative journalism workshop by the magazine 5W and three months' free access to its online content.

What to Submit

Applications are made by email, in Spanish, or in Catalan with a Spanish version. You need a detailed project presentation, a CV and a portfolio. The proposal should explain the social and journalistic impact of the research, your personal motivation (up to 200 words), your methodology and expert sources, the visual approach, and a timeline and budget for a maximum of nine months. Include a portrait and three of your own photographs related to the theme for promotion if you are a finalist. If you win, the project must include at least two interviews with specialists.

Jury

The eighth edition's jury includes photographer Bego Antón, photojournalist Olmo Calvo, Gorka Lejarcegi of EL PAÍS, PHotoESPAÑA director María Santoyo and journalist and filmmaker Jordi Rovira.

Tips for Applying

The jury values journalistic rigour as much as photography: show how you will verify information and which sources you will use. Choose an under-reported subject you have real access to, and present a budget that fits nine months. Your previous work should prove you can complete a long-form story.

Why Apply?

Few grants in Spain fund young photojournalists to work on a single story for months, with a tutor and guaranteed publication. The scholarship has become a recognised starting point for documentary careers, and finalists also benefit from reviews and training with experienced professionals.

Choosing a Subject

The best proposals focus on issues that Spanish society needs to reflect on but that receive little coverage. Pick a subject you can access over nine months, and show that you already have contacts or first images.

Things to Consider

• Ages 18–35, tax resident in Spain.
• Projects about Spain only.
• Application in Spanish (or Catalan with Spanish).
• Deadline: 16 November 2026.

Apply for the Scholarship

Ready to propose your project?

Apply for the Joana Biarnés Scholarship

The full rules and contact details are on the foundation's website.

Looking for more open calls? Browse all competitions and opportunities on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: November 2, 2026