Every two years, the Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation and the German Society for Photography (DGPh) give out two jointly organised awards.

The Thinking Photography DGPh Research Award recognises academic works in photographic theory and history, as well as approaches in the humanities, cultural studies or social sciences that serve as notable contributions to photography research. In addition to graduate projects such as dissertations, master’s or diploma theses, the prize can also be awarded for independent publications that help expand research perspectives in the field of photography. Special attention is given to works that venture beyond established disciplinary or methodological boundaries.

Entries can be published or unpublished texts from the past two years, written in German or English. The selected awardee stands to receive 3,000 euros.

However, reflections on photography are no longer limited to academic publications. Instead, we are witnessing a broader culture of discussion that addresses all facets of the medium. On that premise, the Writing Photography DGPh Prize for Innovative Journalism honours pioneering journalistic and essayistic approaches, with a particular focus on online publications and formats that creatively combine texts and photographic material. These can range from blogs to columns and reviews. Individual content (in German or English) from the past two years, published digital or analogue, can be submitted. The award is endowed with 1,000 euros.

Submissions for both prizes are accepted until 31 October 2024.