Deadline: 12 noon, 15th December 2026
Open to 18 – 26 year olds based in England

Young people can understand and develop their power in order to deal with the injustices they experience. 

GRAIN Projects is seeking proposals from young photographers, aged 18 – 26 years, who are interested in making new work about their lives, peer groups, and the challenges they face.  Applicants should be resident in England.   

This Open Call is inspired by GRAIN Project’s work with young people.  

The commission will be developed by GRAIN Projects in collaboration with the successful young person.  

The Open Call

We seek to consider a broad range of proposals for this opportunity.  We would like to see proposals that are about young people and place, confronting challenging circumstances and/or creating opportunities for change.   We are interested in proposals that are a reflection of our current times, for example, on themes of housing, education, environment, jobs, relationships, identity, politics, technology, health and wellbeing.  .    

Please see our website for examples of our work www.grainphotographyhub.co.uk

The Fee is to support the making of new work and does not include an exhibition outcome.  However, a public sharing of the work will need to be included and GRAIN are open to ideas and proposals for this. 

Commission fee – £2,000, with £500 towards a public outcome. 

Mentoring – Advice and support with professional development will be provided  if required.   

Practical logistics  –   Support will be provided by GRAIN Projects, with input from partners. Project to be completed by

The successful photographer will be appointed in early January and will have 8 weeks to complete their project.

Web and Instagram –  GRAIN will include a feature on the work made.

To Apply

• Please include a Project plan and description (max 1 side of A4)
• Examples of previous work, up to 10 images or examples of projects. All work should be numbered and include, title, date, dimension and media.   
• An up-to-date CV and Bio
• A simple outline budget
• Please download and complete the Equal Opportunities Form and attach to your application (do not edit the online document). 
• Download the Equal Opportunities Form here.
• Please send the above in one PDF.  Please do not send any other additional information as this will not be considered within the assessment process.
• Send to: applications@grainphotographyhub.co.uk Deadline:  12 noon 15th December 2026.

Unfortunately due to high numbers of applications we are unable to offer feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the opportunities please contact stephen.burke@grainphotographyhub.co.uk