This year's theme is "Agriculture".
See application details here.
The Marai Photo Grant is designed to inspire the passionate youth of South Asia to share impactful photo stories on important and urgent themes, through the mentorship of the international news agency, Agence France-Presse (AFP).
© AFP / Shah Marai
Application period:
November 24, 2026 - January 29, 2027
This year's theme is "Agriculture". See application details here.
The Marai Photo Grant is designed to inspire the passionate youth of South Asia to share impactful photo stories on important and urgent themes, through the mentorship of the international news agency, Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Information
- October, 2026
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The Marai Photo Grant 2027 application details are out. We are inviting participants from across South Asia - including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, the Maldives, and Bhutan - to submit project proposals exploring the changing realities of agriculture, from the everyday challenges faced by farming communities to the emerging solutions shaping their future. Applications are open from November 24th to January 29th. See full details here.
- July 6, 2026
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Take a look at highlights from the Marai Photo Grant 2026 ceremony held at AFP India here.
- April 30, 2026
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The Marai Photo Grant 2026 winners are in! Discover their work and stories on the Winners page here.
Hear from the 2026 jury and winners
About the Marai Photo Grant
On April 30, 2018, Shah Marai, chief photographer of the AFP Kabul Bureau, was tragically killed in a suicide attack. Throughout his career, Shah Marai dedicated himself to showing the reality of life in Afghanistan in the midst of terror. To honour his legacy, AFP established the Marai Photo Award: My Afghanistan in 2019, supporting Afghan photographers and celebrating his work. Starting in 2025, the award became the Marai Photo Grant, which inspire and support young, passionate photographers from South Asia to share their vision through compelling photo stories. Winners receive grant funding and mentorship from AFP to help bring their projects to life.
If you would like to find out more about Shah Marai, please visit this blog.
Concept for the Marai Photo Grant: "My Reality. Now."
2027 Theme: Agriculture
"My Reality. Now." reflects Shah Marai's belief in capturing the often overlooked, human side of life in Afghanistan amidst the prevailing narratives of violence and tragedy. During his tenure, Marai championed the importance of showcasing these rarely reported aspects of daily life, believing that significant stories exist beyond the headlines.
To further honour his legacy, we invite young photographers from South Asia to submit proposals for photo stories that document their urgent realities. The Marai Photo Grant 2027 seeks project proposals exploring the changing realities of agriculture, from the everyday challenges faced by farming communities to the emerging solutions shaping their future. Apply now and let your vision be seen and heard. We look forward to seeing your work.
Contact
If you have any inquiries, please contact us by e-mail here.