Applications are open for the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) 2026 - theme Water: Our Shared Story.
In collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, HIPA invites photographers worldwide to show how water shapes our world and the people who depend on it. Submit a story of 5 - 10 photographs by 15 October 2026, 11:59 PM UAE time (GMT+4).
This Opportunity Station guide is original copy based on the official HIPA competition page. It is not a reprint of any third-party blog.
Quick Facts - HIPA 2026 (Water: Our Shared Story)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Award | Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) |
| Theme | Water: Our Shared Story |
| Organiser | HIPA (Dubai, UAE) |
| Partners | UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs · 2026 UN Water Conference |
| Submission | Photo story of 5 - 10 images (online only) |
| Open | 16 September 2026 - 15 October 2026, 11:59 PM UAE (GMT+4) |
| Prizes | 1st $10,000 · 2nd $8,000 · 3rd $5,000 |
| Age | 18+ at time of submission |
| Official page | HIPA - Water: Our Shared Story |
| Apply | HIPA members login / submit |
Story Themes
Explore the relationship between:
- Water & People
- Water & Communities
- Water & Planet
- Water & Innovation
- Water & Challenges
About the Context
The 2026 United Nations Water Conference, co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal, takes place in Abu Dhabi from 8 - 10 December 2026, focused on accelerating SDG 6 - water and sanitation for all. This HIPA competition invites visual stories that document challenges, celebrate solutions, and connect global conversations to real human experiences of water.
Prizes
- 1st prize: $10,000
- 2nd prize: $8,000
- 3rd prize: $5,000
Eligibility & Technical Requirements
- Individuals aged 18+ at submission
- Submit 5 - 10 photos with a title and portfolio description
- JPEG originals: minimum 5 MB, longest edge ≥ 2000 px, quality ≥ 300 dpi
- Mobile phone and drone photos allowed
- Upload original/RAW or unedited files when submitting
- No tags, signatures, initials, frames, borders, or logos on images
- Basic technical editing OK if authenticity is preserved; advanced compositing / creative retouching / deception is prohibited
How to Apply
- Read the full rules on the official HIPA Water competition page.
- Register / log in at hipa.ae/members/login.
- Submit your 5 - 10 photo story online between 16 September and 15 October 2026, 11:59 PM UAE time.
Official Links
Competition rules - Water: Our Shared Story
Related Opportunities on Opportunity Station
- Pulitzer Center Gender Equality Grant 2026
- California Documentary Project Grants 2026-2027
- Perplexity Research Fellowship 2027
- Browse all awards
FAQs - HIPA 2026 Water Competition
When is the deadline?
15 October 2026 at 11:59 PM UAE Standard Time (GMT+4).
How many photos can I submit?
A story of 5 to 10 photographs, with a title and description.
What are the prizes?
$10,000 (1st), $8,000 (2nd), and $5,000 (3rd).
Where do I apply?
Online only via the HIPA members login.
