The RPS offers many opportunities to develop as a photographer and interact with others. Most of these opportunities are open to all and range from the chance to have your work considered for major exhibitions to applying to receive funding for your next photographic project.
Competitions | Bursaries | Exhibitions | Awards | Affiliation | Volunteer opportunities
The Bursary was established in 2005 in memory of distinguished documentary photographer and Honorary Fellow of The Society, Joan Wakelin. The Bursary is administered by The Society in partnership with The Guardian and offers £2000 for the production of a photographic essay on a social documentary issue.
You will also be able to claim your portfolio printed by Metro Imaging and a portfolio review with their Creative Director Prof Steve Macleod.
*Entries are now closed for 2023*
The Royal Photographic Society in partnership with The Photographic Angle is offering a 1-year bursary to support a photographic project that will promote environmental awareness. The £3000 funding must be used to assist with travel expenses, photographic equipment and other project-related costs.
*Entries are now closed for 2023*
Supported by MPB.
As part of The RPS remit as an educational charity we offer an annual bursary of £3,500 to support a postgraduate student (students on courses in photography or undertaking research in photography).
This bursary is open to UK and International students.
*Entries are now closed for 2023*
The RPS Medical Group administers a scholarship fund in memory of Dr Peter Hansell HonFRPS, a pioneer of the practice and teaching of medical photography in the second half of the 20th Century.
The fund provides financial support for any person working in a programme of study or research in the field of illustrative documentation in medicine.
RPS members are eligible for a discount on the course fees of two Falmouth University flexible part-time, online photography courses.
Falmouth University has a history of more than 100 years of creative thinking and recognise that everyone should have access to first-class education.
The RPS International Photography Exhibition (IPE) is the world's longest-running photography exhibition, now in its 165th edition, and offers everyone a unique opportunity to exhibit in a group exhibition at The Royal Photographic Society in Bristol, UK, before touring.
Entry is through an open-call where we welcome submissions from new, emerging, and established international photographers of all ages.
The selection process is underway an our guest selection panel have shortlisted anonymously 416 photographers for the IPE 165
Science Photographer of the Year shows how photography enables scientific research, captures its results and highlights the many ways that science impacts our daily lives.
Images come from researchers, professional and amateur photographers and students at university and at school. The images are chosen without regards to the experience of the photographer or the equipment used, a good idea and keen eye is all that is needed.
Follow the link to discover the winning images from the 2020 competition along with many other exciting resources to explore.
Image: Sue Flood
Volunteers are intrinsic to many of our departments and we have a great variety of roles to offer across them. Opportunities range from helping with activities on a local level (e.g. in your Region, Chapter or Group), to applying for election as a Trustee and working to set strategy. The roles encourage you to use your existing skills and develop new ones.
For 145 years the RPS Awards have recognised significant individuals working across both the still and moving image, as well as those using photography.
The Awards celebrate significant achievements, showcase new and emerging talent, and highlight notable contributions; they also recognise the work of RPS volunteers who help deliver its programmes. The 2023 recipients’ work is a testament to the power of photography to inspire, uplift, incite change and bring about personal, social, and cultural wellbeing.
Aneesa Dawoojee FRPS a South London portrait and social documentary photographer, who’s interest in community, resilience, hope and social discussion have seen her work recognised by the media, funding bodies and the photography world alike.
Only Human: Aneesa Dawoojee showcases The Fighting Spirit of South London and previously unseen work from her new series March of the Hummingbirds.
16 September – 14 January 2024 | RPS Gallery Bristol
