Spring 2026 New York City Fellowship

We're accepting applications for the Spring 2026 session of the New York City Fellowship, a program offering a project production grant, mentorship, and arts administration experience to NYC-based early-career photographers and photojournalists.
Recognizing the challenges of making a living as a working photographer, this fellowship serves a unique dual purpose: supporting the development of the fellows’ photographic projects, while also providing them with paid work experience in Magnum Foundation’s office.

This fellowship is designed for early-career photographers looking for an opportunity to deepen, expand, and complete an NYC-based project that speaks to social issues.
This year, as part of a new partnership with Working Assumptions, Magnum Foundation will be expanding the Spring Fellowship from one to two fellows.
This second NYC Fellowship will be awarded to a photographer whose work focuses on themes of care, family, and interdependent relationships in communities.

During the fellowship, fellows produce an in-depth photography project with mentorship from the Magnum Foundation team.
Fellows are encouraged to build relationships with the communities they are photographing, build partnerships with relevant organizations, and experiment with narrative forms and storytelling techniques.
Fellows receive mentorship and project development support from Magnum Foundation staff and its extended network throughout the duration of the fellowship.
Fellows meet with the MF team bi-weekly to share progress and receive feedback on their documentary photography project.

In addition to producing a project, fellows gain arts administration experience by spending two days a week working in the Magnum Foundation office.
Fellows are considered an integral part of Magnum Foundation’s team and are expected to make significant contributions to the day-to-day work of the organization, while using this time to learn more about the operations of an arts nonprofit.
Fellows work on a range of projects in the New York office, including research on social issues, exploration of emerging technologies and platforms, multimedia production, and event production.
Candidates should have expertise in at least one of the following areas: arts administration, research, writing, video production, or graphic design.
Candidates will be paired with Magnum Foundation projects according to their expertise and interests.
In addition, fellows’ responsibilities include working at and photographing periodic evening events.

Proposed projects must be based in New York City, address social issues, and engage with NYC-based communities.

One of the two selected fellows will be reserved for a photographer whose project centers on care, family life, and the relationships that shape how people support one another.

Applications are encouraged from individuals who have completed at least one long-term project, including recent graduates and self-taught photographers.
The program is open to photographers of all ages.

Duration

The fellowship runs for 12 weeks, from late March to early June.
Exact start and end dates will be agreed upon with the selected fellow.

Fellows are expected to produce and complete a documentary photography project in New York City during the fellowship period.
Fellows are required to work Wednesdays and Thursdays (16 hours per week) with the MF team in Magnum Foundation’s NYC office.
There may be occasional requirements to attend evening events at the MF office.

Compensation

A $5,000 production grant will be provided at the beginning of the fellowship to cover costs associated with the production, completion, and distribution of the NYC-based project.

An additional compensation of $25 per hour will be paid for the 16 hours per week spent on in-office arts administration work, paid bi-weekly.

The fellowship is designed for New York City–based photographers and does not include room, board, or transportation.