The WPOW Lena Grant is an award created by former WPOW co-director Molly Roberts to encourage the coverage of health care issues in the USA. It is given to honor the memory of Lena Wallace, Molly Roberts' great-grandmother, who lived with wonderful grace and compassion while suffering from debilitating rheumatoid arthritis.

The 2026 Lena Grant is once again sponsored by Sony. This year’s winner will receive $3,000 and a Sony Alpha 9 III camera paired with a FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens, provided by Sony.

Accepted subject matter encompasses a wide range and includes physical, mental and emotional health, reproductive care, addiction, PTSD, family caregiving, gender identity, health issues impacting immigrants, economic disparities and environmental issues impacting health, and any other medical and caregiving topic. 

The grant is open to WPOW members only and supports existing or new photo, video or multimedia projects. Funding may be used to cover the hard costs of reporting, photographers’ creative fees, and any other expenses that support the production of new work. This grant is not meant to support the production of books, exhibitions, workshops, or other secondary materials or fund major equipment purchases.

The winner will be asked to provide work in progress, which will be used solely to promote the artist and the Lena Grant, as well as to present the completed project at a WPOW event. Copyright will remain with the creator. All published content produced with support from the WPOW Lena Grant must also credit WPOW, as possible.

SUBMISSION WINDOW: August 7 to September 18, 2026

Apply and see examples from our past winners’ projects below.

DETAILS

Entry fee: None

Amount awarded: $3000 award and a Sony Alpha 9 III camera + FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens

Timeline: The grant portal opens on August 7 and closes on September 18, 2026. The winner will be announced the first week of October, 2026. 

Who can apply: The Lena Grant is open to WPOW members only. Apply for WPOW membership here.

What you need: Awards will be given based on a written proposal and 6-10 supporting images, or video under 5 minutes.

Judging: Judging will take place in Washington, D.C. The jury consists of former Lena Grant recipient and independent photojournalist, Leah Millis and visual editor Jennifer Pritheeva Samuel. Molly Roberts will serve as the judges’ facilitator.