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Eleri Griffiths
CREDIT: Eleri Griffiths

Joan Wakelin Bursary

Administered by The Society in partnership with The Guardian. The Joan Wakelin Bursary offers £2000 for the production of a photographic essay on an overseas social documentary issue.

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 an overseas social documentary issue.

In addition to the funding you will also be able to claim your portfolio printed by Metro Imaging and a portfolio review with their Creative Director Prof Steve Macleod.

The Bursary funds new projects only. We do not support on-going projects. The Bursary does not support projects requiring travel to or within war zones. 

Entries are free and open to all, of any age or nationality.

ENTRIES NOW CLOSED FOR 2023

Find out more about the Joan Wakelin Bursay (PDF)

If you need any further information please email jo@rps.org

Previous recipients

2005  Michael Nott

2006  Charlie Stewart

2007  Brijesh Patel

2008  Jackie Dewe Mathews

2009  Anastasia Taylor-Lind

2010  Yevgenia Byelorusets

2011  Neil Hall

2012  Oliver Wood

2013  Eleri Griffiths

2014  Manuela Henao Restrepo

2015  John Gallo

2016  Matilda Temperley

2017  Alice Mann

2018  Silvana Trevale

2019  Henri Kisielewski

2020  Judy Ford LRPS

2021  Supratim Bhattacharjee

2022  Owen Harvey