The Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson is a state-approved non-profit institution dedicated to the preservation and transmission of the work of Henri Cartier-Bresson and Martine Franck. True to the wishes of its two founders, the Fondation also exhibits the work of other artists. For the past twenty years, the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson has been presenting a unique exhibition program, showcasing an exceptional range of photographic works.
Awarded every two years, the Henri Cartier-Bresson Creation Award (formerly known as HCB Award) supports a photographer in the realization or pursuit of an ambitious project. The Henri Cartier-Bresson Creation Award is aimed at established photographers, who already have a strong documentary-inspired body of work.
The recipient of the Henri Cartier-Bresson Creation Award receives an allocation of 35,000 euros, to be used for both an exhibition at the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson and a publication.
The Fondation d’entreprise Hermès is the patron of the Henri Cartier-Bresson Creation Award.
See the previous winners of the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson Creation Award.
FUNCTIONING AND GRANT
The winner is chosen by an international jury of seven art professionals.
The €35,000 endowment is intended to help the winner complete his or her project. In addition, he/she will be given support in developing his/her project and curating the exhibition.
The Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson covers the production and publishing costs.
2025 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
The call for applications for the Henri Cartier-Bresson Creation Award is open from May 7 to July 31, 2025.
ELIGIBILITY
- The Henri Cartier-Bresson Creation Award is open to photographers of all nationalities and all ages who have already completed a significant documentary-based body of work. Applicants should be in a position to demonstrate several personal exhibitions and publications (monographs and/or catalogs).
- Applicants are required to be sponsored by a photography professional (critic, curator, head of institution, gallery owner, publisher, academic). Unsponsored applications will not be considered.
COMMITMENTS
- The 2025 recipient agrees to exhibit his/her project in 2027 at the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson and supervise the making of the publication.
- He/she agrees to complete his/her project before October 2026 and not to exhibit or publish the project in total or partial form prior to the exhibition at the Fondation, without the latter’s formal agreement.
- He/she agrees to transfer the reproduction, exploitation and distribution rights of fifteen images for the promotion of both the exhibition and the Henri Cartier-Bresson Creation Award.
- He/she agrees to credit the Henri Cartier-Bresson Creation Award in all future exhibitions or publications of the project.
CALENDAR
- May 7 to July 31, 2025: Call for applications
- November 11, 2025: Award winner is announced during the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson Gala
- 2027: Exhibition of the winner’s project at the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson and book release
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- Applications must be submitted online via the dedicated form. Paper applications will not be accepted.
- Incomplete applications will not be examined. Candidates must ensure that they have included all the required documents in their application: they will not be notified of any missing documents.
- Applicants must submit their application in English. Non-English speakers must have their application form and documents translated into English. Applications submitted in any other language will not be considered.
- Submitting an application implies unreserved agreement to all the conditions outlined in this page.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
Applications will have to include the following elements:
- A project proposal (maximum 2,000 signs);
- A reference letter signed by a photography professional outlining why he/she supports the application (maximum 2,000 signs);
- A selection of 15 photographs assembled in a .zip file (<10 Mo);
- A .pdf of a publication on the applicant’s work, or a link to a video showing the inside of the publication.
For any queries, please write to the following address: prixhcb@henricartierbresson.org
Download the .PDF of the 2025 call for applications
