The Alexia Vision Grant supports a professional visual storyteller in producing a planned or ongoing project about a socially significant issue. The Alexia, based at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School, runs the international competition for documentary photographers, filmmakers and other visual communicators.
Applicants propose work that can deepen understanding, foster cultural connection and inspire meaningful change. The selected professional completes or substantially advances the proposed project within one year of signing the grant agreement.
Benefits & funding
- The professional recipient receives a $20,000 project grant and a professional Sony camera and lens.
- The professional runner-up receives $1,000.
- The grant supports production of the proposed project rather than relocation to Syracuse.
Eligibility
- Applicants who do not qualify for the student category must enter as professionals; no degree, age, nationality or residency requirement is stated in the public rules.
- A story may be planned or already in progress, but each applicant may submit only one proposal per year.
- Previous Alexia grant recipients must sit out the next three grant cycles before applying again.
- Full-time employees must secure any employer permission needed to complete the project within one year.
- Submitted photographs or films must be the applicant’s original work; AI-generated imagery is disallowed, and awards remain subject to applicable U.S. sanctions screening.
Can you apply?
Open to all applicants
No nationality, residency, education, or experience limits are listed.
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Application process
- 1Review the grant rules, then sign in to or create a Visura account when submissions open.
- 2Create one entry with a project synopsis, proposal, bio, résumé/CV and body of work; all required captions must be completed.
- 3Accept the terms and pay the $50 professional submission fee, unless using an available partner fee waiver.
- 4Submit the entry and check for the confirmation email.
Program timeline
Applications opened on Visura.
January 13, 2026
Application deadline.
February 13, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST
Open judging in Syracuse, New York.
March 27–28, 2026
Within one year of signing the grant agreement
Recipient completes or substantially advances the project.