Duckling - Duckling Seed Grant

• Duckling

• Deadline: May 31st, 2026

• Category: Documentary Photography

• Prize: €1,300 + Publication

• Entry Fees: Yes

• REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE

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Duckling is a new media platform devoted to documentary photography and visual storytelling, created to support photographers, journalists, and image-makers seeking to tell meaningful stories about the world around us. More than simply a publishing platform, Duckling is designed as a collaborative space where storytellers can connect with one another, access educational resources and masterclasses, and discover opportunities that help sustain long-term creative practice. Through membership, photographers become part of a growing international network committed to building a richer and more thoughtful culture of visual storytelling.

At the heart of the platform is the belief that documentary photography has the power to preserve human experiences, challenge perspectives, and create deeper understanding across cultures and communities. By joining Duckling, members not only contribute to the growth of an independent platform dedicated to these values, but also gain access to an evolving archive of stories from around the world — a collective body of work shaped by diverse voices, experiences, and approaches to documentary practice.

As part of this mission, Duckling introduced the Duckling Seed Grant, a monthly production grant created to support projects that are still in their earliest stages and have not yet been produced. Too often, important stories remain untold simply because photographers lack the financial resources to take the first step. The Seed Grant was developed to help remove that barrier by offering up to €1,300 in funding with minimal restrictions and maximum flexibility. Rather than imposing strict guidelines, Duckling places trust in the photographer’s vision and process.

Recipients are free to use the grant in whatever way best supports the realization of their project — whether for travel expenses, research, equipment, access, production costs, or simply the time and space needed to focus on the work itself. What matters most is the creation of a compelling and meaningful story. In return, grant recipients publish their completed work on Duckling and share reflections on their creative process, allowing the wider community to gain insight into the realities, challenges, and discoveries involved in documentary storytelling today.