Ephemere Grants

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Ephemere Grants •

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.

READ BEFORE SUBMITTING

We believe that a successful collaboration begins with radical transparency. To streamline your process, we have consolidated all submission rules, travel logistics, and frequently asked questions into this comprehensive guide. Please read these 15 points thoroughly to understand the shared commitment required to bring your vision to life.

  • 1. We judge the skeleton, not the skin.

    You do not need to be a professional bookbinder to enter. A "dummy" is simply a physical prototype of your book's sequence.

    It can be a Print-on-Demand book, a handmade zine held together with tape, or loose printed pages clipped into a binder.

    We are analyzing the anatomy (flow, rhythm, narrative), not the binding quality.

    Note: We do not accept digital-only submissions. You must also send the physical version to be considered.

  • 2. 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 and a clear concept. We are looking for work that is "90% there".

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

  • 3. We welcome all artists, provided the work is unpublished.

    The grant is open to photographers of all ages, nationalities, and career stages.

    We accept projects that have never been published, or "micro-runs" (self-published editions of fewer than 50 copies) not distributed by major retailers.

    If your project has been published by a third-party house or sold in a trade run of 50+ copies, it is not eligible.

  • 4. We require "Web-Ready" digital files for reference.

    The digital submission is for quick reference only.

    We must be able to view your file immediately in the browser (Google Drive Preview) without downloading gigabytes of data.

    Please upload a "Screen Quality" PDF (72dpi) or a compressed video. Do not upload high-res print PDFs.

    If we have to download your file to see it, your entry may be skipped.

  • 5. We reveal our mailing address only after registration.

    To protect our privacy, we do not post our address publicly.

    You must complete the Submission Form below.

    Once submitted, the confirmation screen will reveal the Tokyo shipping address.

  • 6. We refuse packages with unpaid customs fees.

    Ephemere will not pay customs fees.

    If a courier asks us to pay to receive your package, we will be forced to reject it.

    When filling out your shipping label, you must mark the contents as "Printed Matter / Dummy Book" and declare the value as "Zero" or "No Commercial Value" (or the minimum required, e.g., USD 1).

  • 7. We cannot return physical dummies.

    Due to the volume of submissions and international logistics, we do not return dummies under any circumstances, even if you offer to pay for return shipping.

    Please do not send your only original master copy.

    Non-shortlisted entries will be archived or responsibly recycled.

  • 8. We review on a rolling basis.

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

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

  • 9. We will exhibit the Shortlist at the festival.

    In April, we will select a Shortlist of runners-up (approx. 5–15 artists, depending on quality).

    These physical dummies 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.

  • 10. We fly the Grand Winner to Tokyo for a Book Launch.

    In May, one artist will be selected for the monograph.

    After a summer of production, we aim to fly the winner to Tokyo in October to launch the book. This is not an "Awards Ceremony"; it is a working launch event.

    Attendance is mandatory for the Grand Winner (barring visa/force majeure issues) because the goal is for you to stand next to your work and sign the first copies.

    If you cannot travel, you do not “lose” the publication grant, but you will miss the core experience of the launch.

  • 11. We believe in total clarity regarding costs.

    Ephemere covers 100% of the book production and the Grand Winner's round-trip airfare to Tokyo (or domestic travel if you are already based in Japan).

    The Artist covers their own accommodation, food, and local transport.

    The Artist is also responsible for securing their own Tourist Visa (if required by their country).

    Ephemere can provide an official Invitation Letter to support your application, but we cannot manage the process for you.

  • 12. 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 the same specific book layout elsewhere later, permission is required from the publisher.

  • 13. We provide Artist Copies, not a profit share.

    Because this is a fully funded grant where Ephemere covers the high financial risk, we do not offer royalties on sales.

    Instead, the Artist receives 10% of the total print run as physical Artist Prints. For example, if we print 300 copies, you will take home 30 copies free of charge.

    The Artist Prints are intended for your personal archive, gifting to loved ones, or donating to institutions. They are not for commercial resale.

    Ephemere manages the official distribution.

  • 14. We distribute your photobook globally.

    Once published, your monograph will mainly be available through the Ephemere online store.

    We also work to place titles in selected partner bookstores and stockists.

    Most importantly, we travel with your book. Ephemere participates in international artbook fairs and photography festivals, ensuring your work is physically seen by collectors and curators worldwide.

  • 15. We are here to help.

    If you have a specific question not answered in this guide, please reach out to us at grants@ephemere.tokyo.

SUBMISSION FORM

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SUBMISSION FORM •

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