Ephemere Grants

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Ephemere Grants •

OVERVIEW

We are seeking a photobook that needs to exist. The Ephemere Photobook Grant 2026 prioritizes projects with visceral resonance over technical perfection—works that feel like they are becoming or un-becoming. We established this initiative to find a singular vision and collaborate with the artist to transform a rough dummy into a finalized monograph in Tokyo.

  • Mission

    Ephemere champions the photobook as a physical object that demands to be held.

    We are not looking for loose files; we are seeking a cohesive vision that is ready to be born.

    The goal is to discover one artist and fully produce their debut or sophomore monograph.

  • Eligibility

    To ensure total inclusivity, this grant is 100% free to enter for all artists.

    We welcome photographers of all ages, nationalities, and genres, regardless of career status.

    We believe that financial barriers should never prevent a powerful story from becoming a book.

  • Criteria

    Physicality: We look for "good bones"—a sequence that flows rhythmically from cover to cover.

    Resonance: We value the "gut over the brain." Does the work make us feel something immediate?

    Universality: We seek stories where the deeply personal becomes universal, sparking global connection.

  • Rewards

    The Grand Winner receives 100% production coverage for a Japan-based, eco-conscious monograph.

    The grant includes Round-trip airfare to Tokyo for the official Book Launch during the Ephemere Photo Fest.

    Rewards also include global distribution and 10% of the print run as artist copies.

  • Shortlist

    A curated selection of two or more runners-up will be chosen by the jurors based on narrative strength.

    These physical dummies will be exhibited as a special installation during the Ephemere Photo Fest in October.

    This exhibition honors works that demonstrate exceptional tactile potential and sequencing.

  • Requirements

    To ensure sincerity, we require a physical book dummy mailed to our Tokyo address.

    We accept rough drafts, tape-bound maquettes, or print-on-demand copies; we judge the bones, not the binding.

    You must register via the form below to receive the mailing address and upload your digital backup.

  • Timeline

    Winter: Submissions open in January and close strictly on March 31, 2026.

    Spring: A Shortlist is revealed in April, followed by the Grand Winner announcement in May.

    Summer: We spend the season finalizing the design and printing the book in Tokyo.

    Autumn: The Climax. The book is officially launched at the Ephemere Photo Fest in October with the artist present.

  • Terms

    Due to international logistics, physical dummies will not be returned under any circumstances.

    Non-shortlisted entries will be archived or responsibly recycled at Ephemere's discretion.

    By submitting, you agree to these terms and grant us the right to exhibit your dummy if shortlisted.

The Jury

  • Anne Murayama

    Anne directs Ephemere with a focus on the intuitive and the poetic. She searches for work that feels inevitable—images that carry an emotional weight beyond their technicalities. She nurtures all of Ephemere’s initiatives, ensuring that every endeavor remains true to its rawest intent.

    Instagram

  • Jordan Reyes

    Jordan joins this initiative as a creative partner. After publishing two titles with Ephemere in 2025, he collaborates with Anne to bring more physical photobooks into existence. He looks for narratives that require the intimacy of the page to be fully understood, valuing the silence of a printed object.

    Instagram

  • Together, Anne and Jordan review every submission. They judge not by exhibition history or pedigree, but by the undeniable presence of the object in front of them.

DETAILS

We believe that a successful collaboration begins with radical transparency. Here, we outline the specific mechanics of how we select, produce, and launch the winning book. Please read this section thoroughly to understand the shared commitment required to bring your vision to life.

  • 1. We are looking for a project that is incubated and ready.

    While we will collaborate on the final polish, we are not looking to build a book from scratch.

    Your dummy should have a solid sequence, a clear concept, and a defined rhythm.

    We are looking for work that is "90% there"—it just needs the right production and guidance to cross the finish line.

    If you are still figuring out what your project is about, it is likely too early for this grant.

  • 2. We review submissions on a rolling basis.

    Submitting early ensures your dummy spends more time with the jury.

    We do not wait until the last day to open the boxes.

    After the March 31 deadline, we narrow the field down to a Longlist, then a Shortlist, and finally, one Grand Winner.

  • 3. We will select a Shortlist to exhibit at the festival.

    In April, a curated selection of runners-up will be included in a Shortlist.

    The physical dummies of these shortlisted artists will be exhibited as an installation at the Ephemere Photo Fest in October 2026.

    While attendance is not required for shortlisted artists, if you choose to visit Tokyo, we will welcome you and aim to schedule Artist Talks to celebrate your work.

  • 4. We will choose one Grand Winner for full publication.

    In May, one artist will be selected for the monograph. We will spend the Summer (June–July) refining the sequence and design directly with the artist.

    We dedicate late summer to proofing and printing to ensure the book is perfect.

    Finally, we aim to fly the winner to Tokyo in October to launch the book.

    Attendance is mandatory for the Grand Winner (barring visa/force majeure issues).

  • 5. We believe in total clarity regarding costs.

    Ephemere covers 100% of the Book Production (Design, Editing, Printing) and the Grand Winner's Round-trip Airfare to Tokyo.

    The Artist covers their own Accommodation, Food, Local Transport, and Visa applications while in Tokyo.

    We provide the platform and the flight; you provide your stay.

  • 6. We differentiate between the rights to your images and the rights to this edition.

    The Artist retains full copyright ownership of all original photographs. Ephemere retains the rights to the specific design, layout, and edition of the published monograph. If the artist wishes to reproduce this specific book layout elsewhere later, permission is required from the publisher.

SUBMISSION FORM

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SUBMISSION FORM •

⚪️ Click Here To Submit ⚪️

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We understand that submitting a physical object involves trust and logistical care. Below, we have gathered the most common questions regarding eligibility, shipping, and travel. If your specific concern is not addressed here, our line is always open to you.

  • A: Everyone. The grant is open to all ages, nationalities, and genres. We welcome self-published works (small editions under 50), but projects previously published by a third-party house are not eligible.

  • A: No. We are looking for "good bones." You can send a MagCloud copy, a handmade zine, or pages clipped together. We are judging the sequencing and the vision, not the binding quality.

  • A: No. We believe a photobook is a physical object. We must feel the weight and turn the pages to properly judge the work. PDF-only submissions will be disqualified.

  • A: There is only one Grand Winner whose book will be published by Ephemere. The Shortlist consists of at least two runners-up; their dummies will be exhibited at the Ephemere Photo Fest, but they will not be published.

  • A: For the Grand Winner, yes—we want to celebrate the launch with you! For Shortlisted artists, it is optional but welcome.

  • A: The Grant covers Round-trip Airfare to Tokyo. The artist is responsible for their own accommodation, daily meals, and local transport.

  • A: You are fully eligible! If you are the Grand Winner and live outside the Greater Tokyo Area (e.g., Osaka, Hokkaido, Okinawa), we will cover your domestic travel (Shinkansen or flight) to the festival. If you are already based in Tokyo, no travel grant is required, but you will still receive full production coverage.

  • A: The artist is responsible for securing their own Tourist Visa (if required by their nationality) to enter Japan. Ephemere can provide an invitation letter if necessary, but we cannot manage the visa application process.

  • A: For security reasons, our Tokyo address is only provided after you complete the digital registration form above. Once you submit your digital backup, the address will be revealed on the confirmation screen.

  • A: No. To maintain strict efficiency for our small team, we cannot manage return logistics. Please do not send your only original master copy.

  • A: No. Please keep the tracking number for your own records. We do not have the capacity to track individual packages. If the book arrives, it will be reviewed.

  • A: If you have a question not answered here, please reach out to grants@ephemere.tokyo.