Can a single photograph change the world? The Environmental Photography Award 2026 believes it can, and is once again launching its global call for images that celebrate the beauty of our planet and urgently highlight the environmental challenges we face. Backed by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, this prestigious award offers a grand prize of €5,000 and a platform for your work to be seen by a massive international audience. Submissions open on September 2, 2025, with a final deadline of November 2, 2025, for this career-defining opportunity.
The award is structured around five categories, including Polar Regions, Forests, and Ocean, inviting photographers to explore the intricate relationships between humanity and the natural world. Participation is completely free, making it one of the most accessible and significant free photography contests in the world. We are proud to feature many of the best photography challenges 2025, and this award stands out for its noble purpose, its incredible prizes, and its royal patronage.
Beyond the generous cash prizes, the 36 finalist images are showcased in a high-profile exhibition in Monaco, which then travels internationally. The work is also immortalized in a beautifully produced annual book, a fantastic publication prize that ensures a lasting legacy. For photographers passionate about environmental photography awards, this is an amazing chance to contribute to the global conversation and have your voice heard on a powerful stage.
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The Environmental Photography Award 2026 Prizes
The award offers a substantial prize fund designed to reward and support photographers dedicated to environmental issues.
- Grand Prize Winner (Environmental Photographer 2026): The overall winner, selected from the five category winners, will receive:
- A grant of €5,000 (in addition to the category prize, making a total of €6,000)
- An invitation, including travel and accommodation, to the exhibition opening ceremony in Monaco
- Category Winners: The winner of each of the 5 categories will receive:
- €1,000
- Public Award Winner: The winner of the public vote will receive:
- €500 grant
- An invitation, including travel and accommodation, to visit the Amazon Research Station of the SEK International University in Ecuador
- Students’ Choice Winner: The winner of the student vote will receive a grant of €500.
- All Shortlisted Photographers: All 36 finalists will be featured in the international touring exhibition and will be published in the official 2026 award book, receiving two complimentary copies.
Other Free Contests
The Categories of the Environmental Photography Award 2026
The award is divided into five distinct categories, each focusing on a critical aspect of our planet’s ecosystems and our relationship with them.
- Polar Regions: This category seeks images of landscapes, wildlife, and communities in the pristine Arctic and Antarctic regions.
- Forests: Highlighting the beauty of flora and fauna within forest ecosystems, as well as the lives of native communities in boreal, temperate, and tropical forests.
- Ocean: Illustrating the richness of our seas and oceans, both on and under the surface, and showcasing the diversity of marine wildlife. This is a top-tier category for those interested in underwater photo contests.
- Humanity vs Nature: Focusing on the conflicting relationship between humans and nature, including the impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion.
- Changemakers: Showcasing the hopeful efforts of communities and organizations working to build a more sustainable world and a harmonious relationship between people and nature.
Environmental Photography Award 2026 Dates and Entry Fees
Here are the crucial dates and details for entering this free photo competitions.
- Submissions open on September 2, 2025
- The submission deadline is November 2, 2025
- The shortlisted images will be announced, and public voting will begin on March 30, 2026
- The final winners will be publicly announced on April 15, 2026.
There is no fee to enter this competition.
How to Enter:
Entry is managed through the Photocrowd online platform. Photographers can enter up to 5 images in each of the 5 categories, for a maximum of 25 images in total. Each image must include a title and a detailed description to assist the jury. It is essential that all original camera metadata is preserved in the submitted files.
About the Jury
The Environmental Photography Award is judged by a prestigious international jury of professional photographers and industry experts. The 2026 panel is presided over by Jasper Doest and includes renowned photographers such as Angel Fitor, Tom Gilks, Sharon Guynup, Florian Ledoux, Steve Winter, and Christian Ziegler. Their collective expertise ensures that the selected works are of the highest artistic and technical quality, and that they powerfully convey their environmental message.
Why Enter Environmental Photography Award 2026?
This award offers a truly exceptional platform for any photographer passionate about the environment. The prestige of being associated with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, combined with the significant prize money and the incredible exposure from the global exhibition tour, makes it a career-changing opportunity. Being selected by such a high-caliber jury provides invaluable validation. For those looking to participate in photography challenges that have a real-world impact and offer a global voice, there are few competitions more meaningful or rewarding than this one.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Environmental Photography Award 2026 has been generated automatically. If you are interested in participating in this contest we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest.
Rules
The award is open to photographers of all nationalities who are 18 or older. Entry is free. Submitted images must have been taken within the last 5 years (no earlier than September 1, 2020). Digital manipulation is strictly limited to basic darkroom techniques; adding or removing objects is not permitted, and AI-generated images are strictly prohibited. Images of captive animals are not allowed, with very rare exceptions for specific documentary purposes which must be clearly stated. The welfare of all subjects—human, animal, and environment—is paramount.
Copyright and Image Usage
The copyright for each image remains with the photographer. By entering, you grant the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Photocrowd, and the award’s sponsors a non-exclusive, irrevocable license to use your photograph free of charge for any purpose connected with the award. This includes promotion, inclusion in the book and exhibition, and use in press and institutional materials. The Foundation will always display copyright information alongside any use of the images.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
