Prizes:

Eight prizes will be awarded, as follows:
Grand Prize: $2,500.
Category Winners: The winners of each of the six categories will receive $500.
Readers' Choice: The winner of the online Readers’ Choice award will receive $500.
One cash prize per person; winners may receive additional non-cash prizes. Winners must sign a release and license, as well as a declaration of eligibility, and will be responsible for paying any fees or taxes associated with the prize. All prizes are awarded “as is” and non-transferable. In case applicable law prohibits the Smithsonian from awarding a photographer the cash prize and/or any non-cash prize, the Smithsonian may award the prize in name only.

Online Features: The Smithsonian may select photos for highlight on its website or display in a publicly accessible contest archive. Such selections will be made in the Smithsonian’s sole discretion. The Smithsonian will select 10 finalists per category, a winner for each category, and a Grand Prize winner from the 60 finalists. The 60 finalists will be notified of their status and appear on our website in March 2025. At that time, the public can vote on the offical website for the Readers’ Choice winner from among the 60 finalists. The Readers' Choice winner, Grand Prize winner and category winners will be revealed online in spring 2025.