Deadline: December 15, 2025
The CatchLight Global Fellowship 2026 is a prestigious programme designed to empower visual storytellers who use photography, film, and multimedia to drive social impact. This fellowship provides not only financial support but also strategic guidance, professional development, and a strong global community. For creatives seeking to deepen the reach, engagement, and long-term influence of their work, the CatchLight Global Fellowship 2026 stands out as a transformative platform.
About the CatchLight Global Fellowship 2026
The fellowship is an incubator for individuals—photographers, filmmakers, and visual practitioners—dedicated to long-form, impact-driven storytelling. It focuses on both the creation and distribution of visual work, ensuring that fellows develop innovative strategies to reach and meaningfully engage audiences. Fellows gain mentorship, exposure, and the tools needed to amplify their projects and expand their influence.
Key Benefits
- Financial Support: Three fellows will each receive USD 30,000 to advance their visual storytelling projects.
- Travel & Accommodation: Fellows receive full support to attend the CatchLight Visual Storytelling Summit in San Francisco.
- Professional Development: Coaching, mentoring, strategic impact support, and access to CatchLight’s global network.
- Long-Term Growth: Fellows join a community committed to innovative storytelling and knowledge-sharing.
Timeline
- Applications Open: 15 November 2025
- Applications Close: 15 December 2025
- Finalists Interviews: Early 2026
- Fellows Announced: May 2026 during the CatchLight Visual Storytelling Summit
Eligibility Criteria
- Individuals Only: The fellowship accepts applications from single practitioners, not teams or organisations.
- Global Eligibility: Open to applicants of all nationalities.
- Language Requirement: All submissions must be in English. Interviews will also be conducted in English.
- Project Stage: Applications are accepted for conceptual, ongoing, or near-completion projects.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the following:
- Fellowship Statement (100 words): Explaining how your work supports social change.
- Thesis Statement (100 words): Summarising your proposed project and its purpose.
- Project Description (approx. 250 words): Outlining the story, context, and approach.
- Engagement & Distribution Plan (approx. 250 words): Showing how you intend to reach audiences and generate impact.
- Impact/Feedback Plan (100 words): How you will evaluate your project’s influence.
- Timeline: Can extend beyond the fellowship year.
- Budget Estimate: Total budget may exceed USD 30,000, but include details on how the fellowship funds will be used.
- Knowledge-Sharing Ideas: Three proposed topics aimed at contributing to the CatchLight community.
- Image Submissions:
- 10–20 images representing the proposed project.
- 5–10 images for promotional and community use.
- References: Contact information for three professional referees.
- Short Bio and CV: Providing background and professional history.
Expectations from Fellows
Selected fellows must:
- Provide project assets documenting key moments, audience engagement, and overall impact.
- Participate in regular check-ins and provide quarterly project updates.
- Credit CatchLight as a funder in all relevant materials.
- Contribute insights and learnings to the CatchLight community through presentations or written reflections.
Selection Criteria
Applications are evaluated based on:
- Innovation: Fresh, creative approaches to visual storytelling.
- Impact Strategy: Strong and realistic audience engagement and distribution plans.
- Sustainability: Long-term vision for the project’s continued impact.
- Leadership Capacity: Evidence of thought leadership, community engagement, or influence within the field.
Why You Should Apply
The CatchLight Global Fellowship 2026 offers more than financial support—it provides a pathway to grow professionally, amplify your impact, and join a distinguished global community of visual storytellers committed to transformative storytelling.
If your work has the power to inform, inspire, and create meaningful change, this fellowship is an opportunity worth pursuing.
Apply Here:
Read More About the Programme:
👉 CatchLight Global Fellowship Details
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