[National Press Photographers Foundation](https://nppf.org)

February 2027 (Full application deadline, projected)

$2,500 one-time award per recipient; typically awarded annually

Supports undergraduate and graduate photojournalism students who excel in visual storytelling through still images or video.

--- ## Description The James Brown and Frank Folwell Scholarship is an annual award presented by the National Press Photographers Foundation to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at four-year U.S. colleges or universities who are studying photojournalism. The scholarship honors the distinguished careers of James W. Brown, a leader in photojournalism education and multimedia production, and Frank Folwell, a renowned photo editor and international journalism mentor. The award recognizes students whose portfolios demonstrate strong visual storytelling skills and a commitment to journalistic excellence, whether through still images or video. --- ## Due Dates - February 2027 (anticipated full application deadline; historically 5:59 P.M. Eastern, first Friday in February) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - $2,500 one-time award per recipient - Payment is made directly to the student’s university bursar account or by check (see Application Process) - Typically, 11 scholarships of $2,500 each are awarded annually across the NPPF pool; one is the Brown/Folwell Scholarship --- ## Eligibility - Open to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled for the spring semester at a four-year college or university in the United States - International students residing in the U.S. are eligible - Applicants must be studying photojournalism - Portfolios must emphasize storytelling through still images or video - A recommendation letter from a professor familiar with the applicant’s work is required (on university letterhead, signed, and dated for the current cycle) - Must adhere to the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) Code of Ethics --- ## Application Process 1. **Prepare Materials:** - Portfolio: Up to 24 images (JPEG/MP4/MOV), max 10 videos (each ≤10 min), showing visual storytelling abilities - Required: All images must have captions and proper metadata - [Portfolio preparation guidelines](https://nppf.org/online-portfolio-image-preparation/) - Recommendation letter from a professor (PDF) - Completed [NPPF CV submission form](https://nppf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/NPPF_Scholarship_CV_form.pdf) (PDF), including essays on your journey, financial need, and career aspirations 2. **Submission:** - Apply via the [Picter platform](https://site.picter.com/2026-nppf-college-scholarships) (link will update for 2027 cycle) - Upload all materials as instructed on Picter - Use the “Biography” field on Picter only if applying for additional NPPF scholarships requiring it 3. **Selection:** - A jury of professional picture editors evaluates applications - Recipients are notified by email within a month of the deadline 4. **Award Distribution:** - $2,500 deposited in the university/college bursar account or $2,000 check mailed to the recipient (student provides instructions upon notification) --- ## Additional Information - All submitted materials are confidential and used only for judging, except for awarded portfolios, which may be published for educational purposes. - Scholarship recipients retain copyright of their work but grant NPPF certain promotional and educational usage rights. - Adherence to professional ethical standards is required; violations (e.g., manipulated images) may lead to disqualification or rescinding of the award. - Payment of any taxes or expenses is the sole responsibility of the recipient. --- ## External Links - [Scholarship Details & Application Page](https://nppf.org/scholarship/james-brown-and-frank-folwell-scholarship) - [NPPF Student Scholarships Overview](https://nppf.org/student-scholarships/) - [Portfolio Preparation Guidelines](https://nppf.org/online-portfolio-image-preparation/) - [NPPF CV Submission Form (PDF)](https://nppf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/NPPF_Scholarship_CV_form.pdf) - [Picter Submission Portal](https://site.picter.com/2026-nppf-college-scholarships) - [NPPA Code of Ethics](https://nppa.org/code-ethics) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [grants@nppf.org](mailto:grants@nppf.org) | | Application Questions | Dr. James Kelly: [jkelly@nppf.org](mailto:jkelly@nppf.org) | ---

James Brown and Frank Folwell Scholarship

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