Getty Images Offers $20,000 Grant to Photographers Showcasing Professionals with Disability

Getty Images has teamed up with Verizon and the National Disability Leadership Alliance (NDLA) and launched a new global creative grant. This initiative, Disability in Focus: Navigating Work Life, offers $20,000 in funding to photographers and videographers. The goal is to change how people with disabilities are shown in professional settings by highlighting their leadership, innovation, and contributions in the workplace – and you can apply, too.

Aiming for more authentic representation

Despite growing efforts for diversity, people with disabilities are still missing from many workplace images. Research from Getty Images’ VisualGPS shows that while most Americans believe media diversity improves understanding, 75% of visuals featuring disabled individuals place them in healthcare settings, not professional roles.

“The global workforce has evolved significantly, yet the stories of the disability community in professional roles remain underrepresented,” said Dr. Rebecca Swift, Senior Vice President of Creative at Getty Images. “This grant is an opportunity for creators to challenge stereotypes and showcase the vital contributions, leadership, and innovation that people with disabilities bring to workplaces around the world.”

This grant expands on The Disability Collection, launched in 2018 by Getty Images, Verizon, and NDLA. That project has already grown to over 12,000 curated images and videos that portray people with disabilities in a more accurate and authentic way.

How to apply

The Disability in Focus: Navigating Work Life grant is open to photographers and videographers worldwide. The total $20,000 fund will be awarded as follows:

• $10,000 for one recipient
• $7,000 for one recipient
• $3,000 for one recipient

To apply, you need to submit:

• A link to an online portfolio
• A 200–500-word project proposal with an inspirational mood board
• A short essay outlining their approach

The winners will also receive:

• A 100% royalty rate when licensing their work on Getty Images
• Mentorship from an award-winning Getty Images art director
• A feature on Getty Images’ Creative Insights website

All applications must be in English and submitted digitally. The deadline to apply is March 7, 2025. Winners will be announced during the week of April 28, 2025. So, if you’re interested in participating, head to Getty Images Grants for more info and submit your work before the deadline.

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