The Documentary Photography Awards (DPA) is organised by the Royal Photographic Society’s Documentary Group. It runs every two years. The previous editions (as DPOTY) have been running since 2012 and provides an opportunity to showcase documentary work and visual storytelling.

The Award categories are: Open, Student and RPS Members.

The selected projects will feature in a UK touring exhibition, currently planning to cover London, Bristol, Newcastle with other events in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Bursaries and support will also be offered to selected projects.

All selected projects will also have opportunities for publication in the Decisive Moment and The RPS Journal and selected photographers will be invited to present at our Engagement Talk series.

Specifically for each category:

Open Category – in addition to the exhibition, one of the selected projects will be awarded a £500 bursary, and a selected photographer will receive development support from a leading photographer.

Student Category – in addition to the exhibition, one of the selected projects will be awarded a £300 bursary, and a selected photographer will receive development support from a leading photographer.

RPS Member Category – in addition to the exhibition, one photographer will be offered professional development support from a leading photographer.

We also have other prizes including free supporter membership of the Martin Parr Foundation and RPS memberships to award.