College Photographer of the Year (CPOY) Scholarship Competition

The College Photographer of the Year Competition was founded by Cliff and Vi Edom in 1945. The Missouri School of Journalism administers the contest with continuing support from its co-sponsor, Nikon Inc., whose generosity allows CPOY to offer free entry to college students worldwide. CPOY has a long history was prestigious and generous sponsors who help support student photojournalists. In 2024, Reuters, the leading global provider of business, financial and world news, started to offer a paid, 12-week internship for the College Photographer of the Year (winner of Portfolio).

The National Press Photographers Foundation (NPPF) administers the Colonel William J. Lookadoo and the Milton Freier Memorial Awards in conjunction with CPOY. The College Photographer of the Year, Runner-up College Photographer of the Year and winners in the Sports Portfolio, Documentary Photographic Story, Domestic Picture Story, Multimedia: Group Story or Essay Standalone, Multimedia: Documentary Short, Multimedia: Individual Story or Essay Standalone categories are awarded equipment and additional educational opportunities provided by Nikon Inc., MediaStorm, True/False Film Fest, both Mountain Workshops and Missouri Photo Workshops and a fellowship in honor of Greg Dorsett / The Muskegon Chronicle. For many decades, National Geographic Magazine was a contributing sponsor, offering and internship to the Gold winner in the Portfolio category.

If you were or will be an undergrad or graduate student enrolled for at least one semester, trimester or quarter between September 2024 and December 2025 at any college, university or educational institution worldwide your work is eligible, provided you have NOT worked two or more cumulative years as a full-time professional photographer, photo editor or videographer (including paid internships).

Please look at the CPOY website for more information, including previous winners and their work.