Leica Launches LOBA Grant for Female Photographers

The Leica Oskar Barnack Award (LOBA) has long recognized photographers who capture the intricate relationship between people and their environment. Now Leica Camera AG is expanding the award with the LOBA Women Grant, a new category offering female photographers the chance to fund and realize a project concept. 

You may already know LOBA for its Main Prize and Newcomer categories, but this grant allows women to develop a new or existing series with financial support and professional guidance, culminating in a showcase during the following year’s LOBA cycle.

This initiative builds on Leica’s prior efforts, including the Leica Women Foto Project Award launched in 2019. The new grant opens globally to professional female photographers aged 21 and above. 

Unlike the Main Prize, nominations are not required, you can submit your project directly with a detailed outline of your vision. The thematic focus aligns with LOBA’s tradition of exploring human interaction with the environment, with encouragement for both socially critical and solution-oriented projects.

The grant provides 10,000 euros, a Leica Q-Camera, and ongoing professional support to help you complete the project in time for the next LOBA exhibition. The jury, which changes yearly, will select one winner, ensuring fresh perspectives are recognized each year. 

Projects completed under the grant will be presented in Wetzlar, Germany, in October 2027, and then travel to Leica Galleries and photography festivals worldwide, providing continued exposure and recognition.

What The Grant Means

By funding a project concept rather than just a finished series, Leica allows photographers to take creative risks and expand their storytelling. You can explore ambitious ideas, experiment with new techniques, or tackle subjects that may not fit into more conventional award submissions. This approach encourages innovation while providing financial and logistical support to make the project achievable.

The LOBA Women Grant also responds to ongoing gender disparities in photography. Female photographers often face limited visibility and funding opportunities, and this grant ensures that their work receives international recognition. You can see it as both a creative opportunity and a platform to advance your professional career while contributing to broader conversations in the field.

Applications for the first LOBA Women Grant open on February 11, 2026, and close on March 15, 2026. Full details, including eligibility, submission guidelines, and deadlines, are available at www.leica-oskar-barnack-award.com/en. If you are a female photographer with a strong project idea, this is a rare opportunity to bring your vision to life with Leica’s support and showcase your work on a global stage.

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