Rebecca Vassie Memorial Award 2025

The Rebecca Vassie Trust today announces the sixth Rebecca Vassie Memorial Award for emerging photographers, which includes a cash bursary of £2,000. The award, which funds an early-career photographer in the UK to undertake a new narrative photography project, also includes mentorship and support towards industry and public exposure. In addition, up to twelve longlisted applicants will join the trust’s Development Network, through which they become eligible for a series of smaller grants later this year.

Judges for the award include Caroline Hunter (picture editor, Guardian Saturday magazine), Emma Lynch (picture editor, BBC News Online) and Jennifer Thatcher (critic, curator and lecturer).

The award was created in memory of Rebecca Vassie, a British photographer and photojournalist who died suddenly, aged 30, while on assignment in Uganda in March 2015. This year’s award marks the tenth anniversary of Rebecca’s death; today’s announcement comes days after she would have turned 40. Applicants for the award, who must be either from or based in the UK, are asked to submit a proposal setting out a compelling vision for a narrative photography project with a social or political context.

The winner of the award will receive ongoing support and mentorship from the Trust as they enact their winning proposal, as well as a portfolio review and mentorship from Karen Harvey MBE, founder and director of Shutter Hub.

Candidates longlisted for this year’s award gain access to the Rebecca Vassie Trust’s Development Network, which disburses small grants towards project development, professional training and public workshops delivered by network members, with special focus on creating education or enrichment opportunities for young people and marginalised communities. The Trust offers shortlisted candidates additional support-in-kind such as networking opportunities and online exhibition.

^{Image: Image by Jamie Sinclair – winner, 2022, for ‘Hjem'}