SPE Awards + Grants

SPE has a longstanding tradition of recognizing, and inspiring the achievements of its members by offering annual scholarships, grants and awards. Awards are presented annually at the national conference.

Click here to view SPE's award history. 

SPE Honored Educator Award

Bestowed upon a career educator recognizing significant contribution to the field of photographic education through classroom teaching, writing, publishing, museum education, or other areas of professional practice, SPE's Honored Educator recipient receives a lifetime membership in the Society.

The Society for Photographic Education (SPE) and the Association for Photography in Higher Education (APHE) have formed an international photography education partnership between the United States and the United Kingdom. With a primary focus on innovation through research and education, SPE and APHE lead a global discourse around future lens-based cultures. This past year, SPE and APHE launched an ongoing exchange program. This program brings APHE's Photography Education Award winner to present at SPE's Annual Conference; and SPE's Honored Education travels to the UK to present at APHE's Conference.

Nomination Deadline: July 1

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SPE Insight Award

Given to an SPE member who demonstrates excellence in innovative teaching, sustained mentoring of colleagues or students, broad contribution to technical, critical, pedagogical, or visual aspects of the field, breadth or depth of exhibition or publication, and/or sustained presence in the field.

Nominations are accepted year round
Nomination deadline: July 1

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SPE Imagemaker Award

Recognition of excellence for the highest ranked annual conference proposal in the Imagemaker category, the SPE Imagemaker Award recipient receives $1,000, plus a one-year membership to SPE and an annual conference pass. 

Thanks to a new partnership with PLAYA (a residency program in south central Oregon), SPE Imagemaker Award recipients will also be given the opportunity to do a one-month residency at PLAYA within the calendar year following receipt of the award.

Proposals accepted: March 6 - June 1

SPE International Conference Grant

SPE's International Conference Grant was established in 2014 (for implementation in 2015) as an incentive to foster international submissions and participation in SPE's annual conferences. The grant was created in recognition of the higher financial burden facing international members who wish to present at SPE's annual conference. This grant is awarded to the three highest-ranked international conference proposal submissions, regardless of presentation category, if selected by the conference committee to present at the conference. Up to six individuals may benefit from this grant program each year.

The conference grant awards a full registration fee waiver and a complimentary one-year membership to each recipient. The award has a value of $375 U.S.D.; equivalent to one conference ticket, currently $250, and a one-year international membership, currently $125.

Proposals accepted March 6 - June 1

Lauren Shrensel Zadikow Memorial Award

SPE is honored to announce the Lauren Shrensel Zadikow Memorial Award. The cash award of $500 supports an SPE member, at any stage of their career, to attend SPE's Annual Conference. Special consideration will be given to photographers working to counter social and/or environmental injustices. 

The Lauren Shrensel Zadikow Memorial Award is made possible through a gift by Sharon Shrensel and Charles Zadikow. The cash award is presented to the recipient at SPE's Annual Conference.

Application deadline: October 15 @ 11:59 PM EST

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SPE Student Awards for Innovations in Imaging

All SPE student members are eligible to apply for a scholarship to offset the cost of attending SPE's 2020 annual conference. Awards are offered based on merits of submitted portfolios and include a travel stipend to attend the annual conference, a 2020 annual conference fee waiver, and a one-year membership to SPE. Jurors will seek to award work that demonstrates the most innovative and unique uses of photographic techniques. All lens-based technology is eligible (including video), as well as photo-based cameraless technologies.

NEW THIS YEAR: The LGBTQ Caucus is pleased to announce a new student scholarship available to LGBTQ student members. To be considered for this scholarship, please indicate your interest and eligibility in the Slideroom application. Support for the LGBTQ student scholarship was generously provided by Gay Block and an anonymous donor.

Application deadline: October 15 @ 11:59 PM EST

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The Third Shift: A Scholarship for Working Women(-identifying) Artist + Caregivers

Are you a mother? Do you care for your partner or a parent? If so, we see you and want to celebrate the herculean effort it takes for you to keep making work. This $500 scholarship award is specifically aimed to recognize and honor SPE members who are full time students or employees, artists, and caregivers. Time and money are major obstacles for SPE members who need to secure child, partner, or eldercare in order to attend a four-day conference; and yet participating in an annual event like SPE can have a deep impact on someone's ability to cope with the responsibilities of working full time and caretaking while also trying to fulfill their artistic vision and develop community around their photographic practice. The cash award is presented to the recipient at SPE's Annual Conference.

Application deadline: November 1 @ 11:59 PM EST

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