Are you a photographer from the Global South passionate about documenting the intersection of climate, science, and human resilience?

The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and the Fundação Conrado Wessel (FCW) have launched the inaugural Through Southern Lenses: Science in Focus Photo Essay Award. This groundbreaking initiative aims to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and public understanding by highlighting the remarkable scientific achievements and climate challenges of developing nations through visual storytelling.

The 2026 Theme: Glaciers and Deserts

Photography possesses the unique ability to transcend language barriers and capture complex scientific narratives in a single frame. The 2026 theme, “Glaciers and Deserts,” invites photographers to explore the profound impact of climate change.

These two extremes represent two faces of the same global crisis:

• Glaciers: Melting at an accelerating pace, raising sea levels, and threatening coastal communities and fragile ecosystems.
• Deserts: Expanding rapidly, swallowing fertile lands, reshaping landscapes, and challenging the survival of millions.

Photographers are challenged to document the delicate balance between these environments, their shared vulnerabilities, and the resilience and adaptation of communities and ecosystems in the developing world. Selected images will be featured in an international exhibition to raise global awareness.

Awards and Recognition

• Grand Prize: The best-selected Photo Essay will be awarded a cash prize of US$ 20,000.
• Global Exposure: The winning essay will be featured across official TWAS and FCW platforms and integrated into a collective international exhibition.

ٌWho can Apply?

To be considered for this prestigious award, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Nationality: Must be a national of a developing country in the Global South.
2. Format: The submission must be a Photo Essay consisting of exactly ten (10) original photographs centered around the theme.
3. Timeframe: The photographs must have been produced within the last five (5) years (verifiable proof of production date is required).
4. Originality: Photo essays generated or manipulated using Artificial Intelligence tools (e.g., Midjourney, DALL-E, ChatGPT) are strictly prohibited.
5. Authorship: Submissions can be made by individuals or groups. An individual may only be listed as an author or co-author on one single entry.

Judging Criteria

A jury composed of six experts (scientists, photographers, and researchers appointed by FCW and TWAS) will evaluate submissions based on:

• Technical quality and aesthetic value.
• Composition, form, and originality.
• Cultural relevance and overall narrative coherence.
• The ability to communicate the scientific theme visually, without the need for textual explanation.

How to Apply

Registration and submission are entirely free of charge.

1. Ensure your photo essay strictly follows the ten-photograph requirement and the “Glaciers and Deserts” theme.
2. Prepare verifiable proof of the production date and ensure you hold image consent from any identifiable persons in your photographs.
3. Submit your portfolio digitally through the official competition portal.

Deadline: extended to March 15, 2026

Apply Now

For more details, please visit the official website of the Through Southern Lenses competition 

For direct inquiries regarding the award, participants may contact the organizers at contact@southernlenses.org.