ND Awards

What you will actually pay

Entry costs, explained.

2026 final fees: non-professional US$24 single/$29 series; professional $29/$34; extra categories $10 each.

Fees are non-refundable, and paid entries cannot be edited. One professional series placed in three categories costs US$54, not $34. Decide where the work is strongest before checking out; indiscriminate cross-entry multiplies cost without creating new work. [7][3]

An online distinction across photographic genres

The competition separates professional and non-professional entrants and accepts either a standalone photograph or a short series. A series should share one theme and title and is judged as a whole. That makes it appropriate for a compact visual argument, not simply the five best unrelated photographs in a portfolio. [7]

The public benefits centre on the winners gallery, certificates, award marks and publicity. Evaluate those against the way you actually find clients or audiences. An online distinction can support a biography, but it is less useful if what you need is a physical exhibition, editorial feedback or funding to make new work. [5]

Read the historical scrutiny alongside the current claims

PetaPixel’s 2018 investigation linked ND Awards and ND Magazine to Martin Stavars and a wider group of contests, questioning operational transparency. Its findings that advertised judges had not judged concerned IPOTY and Monochrome; they should not be restated as proof that ND’s current jury is fictitious. Nevertheless, this is material history for someone deciding whether to pay. [8]

A 2025 PetaPixel feature on Bernhard Lang separately noted his earlier ND success among his photographic achievements. That supports the award’s existence in working photographers’ biographies, not a claim that it caused subsequent success. The current site names judges including Jorge Monaco, Mahe Elipe and Emma Hartvig; this review has not independently audited their 2026 participation. [9][6]

Top totals already include category money

The professional grand prize is US$3,500, comprising $3,000 plus the $500 category prize. The non-professional top total is $2,400, comprising $2,000 plus $400. Do not add those category amounts again. Other professional category winners receive $500 and non-professional category winners $400; subcategory medals and honourable mentions are separate, non-cash distinctions. [5]

Payment is through PayPal in US dollars, with transfer costs deducted. The advertised overall fund is spread across winners and should not become the figure against which an individual entry is valued. Budget on receiving no prize rather than treating a large aggregate as an expected return. [2][5]

Existing work is welcome; income determines the section

The terms permit photographers worldwide over 18, excluding connected employees. There is no image-age limit, and published work or photographs successful in other competitions can enter. Digital manipulation is accepted, but the reviewed pages do not provide a clear dedicated generative-AI policy. Obtain clarification before submitting work made with those tools. [2][7]

All entries carry an irrevocable promotional licence

Authors retain copyright. Every submission grants a worldwide, non-exclusive, irrevocable licence connected with the competition, including media-partner promotion; awarded work also receives extensive high-resolution promotional use. Credit is promised and resale or unrelated third-party commercial use is excluded. No expiry is given. This is a continuing permission affecting unsuccessful entries too. [2]

A closed 2026 deadline and straightforward file requirements

The final deadline was 20 September 2026, with results scheduled for 22 November. No future window is inferred. Images need JPEG format, a 1,200-pixel long edge, sRGB or Adobe98, and no watermark or added border, except borders intrinsic to traditional processes. Preserve a high-resolution original for verification. [3][4]

For a future call, check the complete export and category selection before payment locks the entry. A series needs enough variation to reward viewing in sequence. If each picture makes the same point, a single-image submission may be the more economical and more convincing choice. [7][4]