LE BAL, ADAGP and the French Ministry of Culture support young talents by providing long-term guidance for the development of their artistic work.
This prize, awarded every two years, is intended for photographers or videographers of the French art scene that are under 40 years old. It aims to support the winner during two years, to produce a project that the winner has already begun. is awarded to young artists in the fields of photography and video art. Preference will be given to projects that fall within the broad spectrum of documentary photography, addressing both political/societal and aesthetic issues. A grant of €20,000 will enable the artist to carry out their project. At the end of the two-year period, their work will be the focus of an exhibition at Le BAL and a publication. The winner will also have their work featured in a dedicated display at ADAGP, accompanied either by a critical essay or photographs of their work.
Who can apply?
To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be of legal age and under 40 on the date their application is submitted;
- Be a French citizen or a person of French nationality living abroad, or who has been working/residing in France for at least five years;
- Have a photography and/or video project already underway.
What are the application requirements?
The application must contain all the elements listed in the call for applications and be sent to production@le-bal.fr.

LE BAL is an independent place dedicated to exhibitions, publications, ideas and education, centered on the contemporary image in all its forms – photography, video, film and new media. Both activist and experimental, LE BAL is a laboratory for new ways of representing reality, involving artists, researchers, curators, publishers and the public. Recognised on the international scene for the uniqueness and high standards of its programme, LE BAL showcases artists whose work combines political and aesthetic concerns.
For details of calls for applications in progress
These direct grants – ranging from €5,000 to €30,000 – were launched several years ago under ADAGP's Cultural Action program to allow artists to pursue and develop their work.