HIPA International Photography Competition 2026 on Water with Cash Prizes of up to $10,000
Applicant criteria
- NationalityNo specific nationality required
- AgeNo specific age required
- GenderBoth
Opportunity criteria
- Opportunity FieldPhotography and Filmmaking , Others
- LocationRemotely
- Deadline2026-10-15
Opportunity description
The Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) is launching an international photography competition titled Water: Our Shared Story 2026, in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the 2026 United Nations Water Conference.
The competition invites photographers from around the world to submit a photo story consisting of 5 to 10 images documenting the relationship between people and water, and showing how water affects individuals, communities, economies, and the environment.
Projects may explore themes such as:
- Water & People
- Water & Communities
- Water & Planet
- Water & Innovation
- Water & Challenges
Benefits
The competition offers cash prizes with a total value of up to USD 23,000:
- First Place: USD 10,000.
- Second Place: USD 8,000.
- Third Place: USD 5,000.
Eligibility criteria
To participate, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be 18 years old or older at the time of submission.
- The competition is open to photographers from around the world.
- Applications must be submitted on an individual basis.
- Submit a photo story consisting of 5 to 10 images related to the theme of water.
- All images must be original and created by the applicant.
- Images captured using mobile phones or drones are allowed.
- Applicants must comply with HIPA’s technical specifications and rules regarding originality and image editing.
Image Requirements
Submitted images must meet the following conditions:
- Include between 5 and 10 images.
- Include a title and description for the photo story or series.
- Images must be uploaded in JPEG format and in high quality.
- The original image file must be at least 5 MB.
- The longest side of the image must be at least 2,000 pixels.
- Resolution must be at least 300 dpi.
- RAW files or original unedited images must be uploaded as part of the submission.
- Images must not contain logos, signatures, borders, or other marks.
- Basic technical adjustments that do not alter the truth of the image are permitted.
- Advanced manipulation, compositing, or editing that changes the reality of the image is not allowed.