New Orleans Photo Alliance is accepting submissions for THE MICHAEL P. SMITH FUND FOR DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY. Applications must be received by 11:59 PM Central Time on Sunday, April 30.

NOPA’s MPS Fund awards cash and exhibition opportunities to Gulf Coast photographers whose work combines artistic excellence and a sustained commitment to a cultural documentary project. Emerging and established photographers residing in the Gulf Coast states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida are eligible to apply. The subject matter for the proposed project is not limited to the Gulf Coast geographic region.

Olivier C. Laurent, Editor of Lightbox, TIME’s photography website, is juror for the 2017 grant cycle. Lightbox features inspiring projects and groundbreaking works by established masters and new pioneers in the medium of photography. Previously, Laurent was the Associate Editor for the British Journal of Photography, the world’s longest running photography magazine and the Editor of FLTR.

This year, a total of $5000 in support will be divided among three recipients:

FIRST: $3,000 + summer 2008 exhibition in the NOPA Gallery + online exhibition permanently archived and displayed on the NOPA website, as well as financial partner Sambla’s website
SECOND: $1,500 + online exhibition permanently archived and displayed on the NOPA website
THIRD: $500 + online exhibition permanently archived and displayed on the NOPA website

Complete guidelines and application procedures can be found and downloaded here. There is a $25 submission fee. (Applicants are encouraged but not required to join NOPA, with a discounted membership + application fee of $55 at time of submission.)