Created in 1990, the Jean-Luc Lagardère Foundation Grants help young media and culture professionals. Every year, a grant of 10,000 euros is awarded to a (french speaking) photographer under the age of 35 who wishes to create an original and innovative documentary project. The jury is composed of photography and media professionals. Much more than financial support, these grants provide a true springboard, helping to launch the careers of the award winners.

Applicants should practice photography as their core activity and have authored at least two documentary photo publications printed on paper or online in periodical press and/or as books and/or exhibition catalogs..

Some of the previous recipients of the Foundation Photographer grants include: Sarah Caron (2000), Samuel Bollendorff (2001), Agnès Dherbeys (2005), Véronique de Viguerie (2006), Stéphanie Lacombe (2006), William Daniels (2007), Elena Chernyshova (2011), Maciek Pozoga (2014) . . . In 2016, the Photographer grant was awarded to Anna Filipova for her photo essay on Greenland, highlighting the impact of mining on the local populations..

Through their ambitious vision and generous financing, the Jean-Luc Lagardère Foundation Photographer Grants are an excellent example of encouragement for, and acknowledgement of, the profession of photography!