Entries open for RSA Elizabeth Lornie Photography Award (UK)

The RSA Elizabeth Lornie Photography Award 2026 supports photographers in Scotland to develop a new body of still photography work using digital or analogue methods. It provides £5,000 funding for research, development, and production, along with exhibition opportunities and acquisition of a work into the Royal Scottish Academy Permanent Collection. Eligible applicants must have a strong connection to Scotland through birth, study, or residency.

What is the RSA Elizabeth Lornie Photography Award?

The RSA Elizabeth Lornie Photography Award 2026 is a Scottish arts funding award administered by the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA). It supports artists working in still photography to create a new photographic project from concept to completion.

The award is designed to:

Fund new photographic research and production
Support artistic development in still photography
Provide exhibition opportunities at the Royal Scottish Academy
Contribute to Scotland’s contemporary photography archive

Key Objectives of the Award

The award focuses on advancing photographic practice by:

Artistic Development

Supporting creation of a new body of photographic work
Encouraging experimentation in digital and analogue photography
Enabling research-driven creative projects

Professional Recognition

Offering exhibition opportunities at the RSA
Including selected works in a public exhibition alongside other award recipients

Legacy and Collection Building

Acquisition of one representative artwork into the RSA Permanent Collection
Long-term preservation of contemporary Scottish photography

What the Award Provides

Successful applicants receive:

£5,000 funding for project development
Research and production support for new photographic work
Exhibition opportunity at the Royal Scottish Academy
Inclusion in a group exhibition with other RSA award winners
Acquisition of one artwork into the RSA Permanent Collection

Eligible Art Practices

The award supports:

Still photography projects
Digital photography methods
Analogue photography techniques
Mixed photographic approaches (digital + analogue)

What the Funding Can Be Used For

The £5,000 award can support:

Research and concept development
Photographic production costs
Equipment use (for project execution, not capital purchase)
Travel for project development (if relevant)
Printing and exhibition preparation
Artistic materials and project-specific expenses

What the Award Does NOT Fund

Capital grants or equipment purchases
Ongoing studio overheads unrelated to the project
Non-project-related personal expenses
Completed or previously existing work

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet at least one of the following conditions:

Scottish Connection Requirement

Born in Scotland, OR
Studied at a Scottish art school, OR
Lived in Scotland for at least 3 consecutive years

Artistic Requirement

Must be an artist working in still photography
Must use digital and/or analogue photographic methods

Ineligibility

Undergraduate students are NOT eligible
Postgraduate students are NOT eligible
Non-photography-based practices are not eligible

Project Requirements

Applicants must propose:

A new and original photography project
A clear research and development plan
A timeline leading to completion by November 2027
A body of work suitable for exhibition

Key Dates and Timeline

Shortlist presentations: 9 November 2026
Winner announcement: End of November 2026
Project completion deadline: November 2027
Exhibition: Following year at the Royal Scottish Academy

Selection Process

The award process includes:

Stage 1: Application Review

Assessment of artistic proposal and eligibility
Shortlisting of candidates

Stage 2: Presentation

Shortlisted applicants present to adjudicators on 9 November 2026

Stage 3: Final Selection

Final decision made by adjudication panel (final and binding)

Stage 4: Award and Development

Funding awarded
Project development begins

Exhibition and Copyright Terms

Successful applicants agree to:

Exhibit selected work at the Royal Scottish Academy
Participate in a group exhibition with other RSA award winners
Allow RSA to reproduce submitted and completed works for:
- Publicity
- Educational purposes
- Archival/reference use

Copyright Note

Why This Award Matters

The RSA Elizabeth Lornie Photography Award is important because it:

Supports emerging and established photographic artists
Encourages innovation in still photography
Provides financial support for project development
Offers major exhibition exposure in Scotland
Contributes to national art collections
Strengthens Scotland’s contemporary photography landscape

How the Award Works (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Confirm Scottish connection (birth, study, or residency)
Ensure you are not a current undergraduate or postgraduate student

Step 2: Develop Project Proposal

Include:

Concept for new photographic work
Research plan
Production approach (digital/analogue methods)
Timeline and expected outcomes

Step 3: Submit Application

Apply with full project proposal and supporting materials

Step 4: Shortlisting

Selected applicants are invited to present their work

Step 5: Presentation (9 November 2026)

Present project to adjudication panel
Answer questions about concept and execution

Step 6: Award Decision

Winner announced by end of November 2026

Step 7: Project Development

Receive £5,000 funding
Complete project by November 2027

Step 8: Exhibition and Collection

Selected works exhibited at RSA
One work acquired for permanent collection

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Submitting an incomplete or unclear project proposal
Applying without meeting Scottish eligibility criteria
Proposing already completed work
Treating the award as equipment funding
Weak research or conceptual framework
Missing student eligibility restrictions

Tips for a Strong Application

Present a clear, original photographic concept
Show strong research and artistic intent
Demonstrate understanding of still photography practice
Include a realistic production timeline
Explain how the project will evolve into a cohesive body of work
Highlight relevance to contemporary photography practice

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the funding amount?

£5,000 per awarded artist.

2. Who can apply?

Photographers with a connection to Scotland (birth, study, or residency).

3. What type of photography is supported?

Still photography using digital and/or analogue methods.

4. Can students apply?

No, undergraduate and postgraduate students are not eligible.

5. What is the project deadline?

Projects must be completed by November 2027.

6. Is the award for equipment purchase?

No, it is not a capital grant.

7. What happens to the artwork?

One work is acquired by the RSA Permanent Collection and selected works are exhibited.

Conclusion

The RSA Elizabeth Lornie Photography Award 2026 is a prestigious opportunity for photographers in Scotland to develop a new body of still photographic work. By providing £5,000 in funding, exhibition opportunities, and inclusion in the Royal Scottish Academy’s Permanent Collection, the award supports artistic innovation, professional development, and the long-term visibility of contemporary photography practice in Scotland.