2025 Alexia Grant Recipients and Finalists

The Alexia supports student and professional photographers and filmmakers whose work informs, fosters cultural understanding and inspires meaningful change.

ANNOUNCING THE ALEXIA 2025 GRANT WINNERS

This year’s submissions represent more than 90 nations and come from all corners of the world. Both student and professional recipients and finalists were selected after careful review by our three jurors: Maye-E Wong of Reuters, Ron Haviv of The VII Foundation, and independent visual storyteller Lynn Johnson, this year’s Alexia fellow. We are grateful for their dedication and time as they reviewed every proposal, eventually narrowing down hundreds of submissions to 38 student and 40 professional projects to advance to the live judging. Whitney Latorre, president and CEO of Catalina Island Conservancy, moderated the judging process. After much discussion, the jury selected a recipient, a runner-up and award of excellence honorees in both the professional and student categories for multiple grants.

The Alexia would like to thank Sony for sponsoring the grant judging weekend, Visura.co for its support, and our grant partners for expanding this year’s offerings: the fStop Foundation, Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse University, the Eddie Adams Workshop, CODE^SHIFT at Newhouse, the Sports Media Center at Newhouse, the Public Diplomacy and Global Communication Program at Newhouse, and The VII Foundation.

To all of you who applied this year, please know that we value you and the work you do in pursuit of telling important stories. Thank you for participating in The Alexia 2025 grants; we encourage you to apply again next year, as many of our recipients have applied multiple times before being awarded a grant.

THE ALEXIA 2025 HONOREES

(Project descriptions are located below this list.)

THE ALEXIA VISION GRANT — PROFESSIONAL

RECIPIENT: Smita Sharma, “We Cry in Silence” (India)

RUNNER-UP: César Rodríguez, “Montaña Roja” (Mexico, USA)

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: Rebecca Conway, “Torn Water” (Pakistan)

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: Jiatong Lu, “Nowhere Land” (USA)

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: Adra Pallón, “Demothanasia. Death by Depopulation.” (Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, Romania)

THE ALEXIA CONSERVATION GRANT SPONSORED BY THE FSTOP FOUNDATION — PROFESSIONAL

RECIPIENT: Morgan Heim, “The Most Valuable Bird in the World” (Peru)

RUNNER-UP: Oliver Caldow, “Protecting Kenya’s Forgotten Wilderness” (Kenya)

THE ALEXIA FAITH GRANT SPONSORED BY HENDRICKS CHAPEL/SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY — PROFESSIONAL

RECIPIENT: Mark Abramson, “Blessed & Sealed” (USA)

RUNNER-UP: Laura León, “Gratia Plena: Life in Enclosure” (Spain)

THE ALEXIA VISION GRANT — STUDENT

RECIPIENT: Milton Lindsay of Ohio University, “For Another Land” (Mexico, USA)

RUNNER-UP: Iva Sidash of the International Center of Photography, “Seeing the Unseen” (Ukraine)

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: Luke Johnson of George Washington University, “Gillette on the Precipice” (USA)

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: Sadman Sakib of Counter Foto, “Hope Never Dies” (Bangladesh, Japan, England, Turkey)

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: Pablo Vergara of The VII Foundation/Academy, “Remnants of the Land” (Brazil)

THE ALEXIA CONSERVATION GRANT SPONSORED BY THE FSTOP FOUNDATION — STUDENT

RECIPIENT: John Stember of University of Montana, “Grizzly Bears Returning to the Great Plains” (USA)

THE ALEXIA FAITH GRANT SPONSORED BY HENDRICKS CHAPEL/SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY — STUDENT

RECIPIENT: Venkat Sai Akash Pamarthy of Ohio University, “Sikh Ohio” (USA)

RUNNER-UP: Yixi Tian, “Veiled by Cloud and Mist” (China)

THE ALEXIA HUMAN RIGHTS GRANT SPONSORED BY CODEˆSHIFT AT NEWHOUSE/SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY — STUDENT

RECIPIENT: Pasha Kritchko of Hochschule Hannover, “Map of Memories” (Poland, Lithuania, Germany, Ukraine)

RUNNER-UP: Mumin Gul of Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, “Silent Whispers” (Indian-administered Kashmir)

THE ALEXIA PUBLIC DIPLOMACY GRANT SPONSORED BY THE PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AND GLOBAL COMMUNICATION PROGRAM AT NEWHOUSE/SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY — STUDENT

RECIPIENT: Shubhadeep Mukherjee of Jamia Millia Islamia, “Smells Like Home” (India)

RUNNER-UP: Klaus Galiano of the International Center of Photography, “Leaving the Airport Behind” (USA)

THE ALEXIA SPORTS GRANT SPONSORED BY THE SPORTS MEDIA CENTER AT NEWHOUSE/SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY — STUDENT

RECIPIENT: Sadman Sakib of Counter Foto, “Hope Never Dies” (Bangladesh, Japan, England, Turkey)

RUNNER-UP: Murphy McFarlane of Syracuse University, “As Tough as Ice” (USA)

THE ALEXIA EMERGING PHOTOGRAPHER GRANT SPONSORED BY THE VII FOUNDATION — YOUNG PROFESSIONAL/STUDENT

RECIPIENT: Pasha Kritchko of Hochschule Hannover, “Map of Memories” (Poland, Lithuania, Germany, Ukraine)

PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS

THE ALEXIA VISION GRANT — PROFESSIONAL

RECIPIENT: Smita Sharma “We Cry in Silence” (India)

A chance meeting with a survivor in 2015 led to a nine-year project investigating the murky world of trafficking in South Asia. With The Alexia grant, my goal is to expand the “We Cry in Silence” to include a new chapter about the highly under-reported issue of bride trafficking and the impact of toxic masculinity in India.

three men stand in a police station in India — Farak Ali Gayen was arrested in July 2017 based on a description a trafficking survivor, Mala, gave of a young man she said trafficked her. He stands between Jagdeep Singh Rawat, an anti-trafficking activist with Shakti Vahini, and police officer Shibendu Ghosh at the Mathurapur Police Station in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal. Gayen had promised to marry Mala, so she ran away from home. He said he was paid about $260 for every girl he brought to his sister in Delhi and that she sold the girls to various brothels. He said he and others on his team trafficked 11 girls from South 24 Parganas over a year and a half. In September 2022, Gayen was sentenced to seven years imprisonment by the Diamond Harbour Court.

Smita, what does being selected for the Alexia Vision Grant mean to you? It is overwhelming, and I am very grateful to the jury for their kind consideration. I always believed that the story had a lot of layers and complexities and getting this grant endorses my belief and truly motivates me to continue working on this important yet under-reported subject.

The international prestige of this grant obviously brings with it a huge sense of responsibility, and it would be my earnest endeavor to provide the due seriousness to this topic.

Most of my ideas about new projects owe their origin to my field experience and the stories and layers that I am introduced to while working within the society. Hence, I often grapple with self-doubt about the true implication of my ideas and whether the work merits a wider audience. This has often hindered me from applying for such major grants, but I knew from deep within that this story had merit, and I am thrilled that the jury thought likewise. I’m very excited to carry forward this momentum now.

This grant is a huge responsibility as well as a motivation, especially at a time when resources are drying up in our industry and budgets are primarily for long-form and investigative projects. It also means that I’ll be able to invest more time and effort in this new chapter and bring out an impactful narrative that needs attention.

I hardly ever apply for grants, thinking that my work is not good enough, and many photographers I know think similarly. Also, I have a habit of procrastination. But I am glad I applied this time, and the effort paid off. Most importantly, it came at a time when I was almost giving up on the project because the last two years of research and my field trips have been very challenging. I am full of gratitude to the jury who recognized the importance of this “silent issue” that needs attention.

What did you think when you heard you’d been selected? When Bruce Strong called me, it was around 10 p.m. in India, and I was on the road in peak traffic with a lot of noise around me. I initially thought it was a spam call! After he told me that I had won the grant, I thanked him and hung up. I was a bit overwhelmed. After returning home that night I couldn’t sleep. Because of the disturbance, I wasn’t sure I had heard correctly. I texted Bruce asking if he was sure that I had won the grant. He confirmed with a big YES and a congratulatory note. That’s when it finally started to sink in.

What do you hope to do with your grant? I am so glad this prize came at a time when I really needed motivation and a push. The grant money will be used on my field trips to complete this new chapter on bride trafficking and how toxic patriarchal masculinity in a casteist society leads to gender violence and sexual exploitation. Once I’ve completed photographing the project, I also hope to organize an exhibition within the community where this problem persists.

RUNNER-UP: César Rodríguez, “Montaña Roja” (Mexico, USA)

“Montaña Roja” continues and expands upon themes explored in previous projects, combining migration, resilience and empowerment. I’ve documented families in Guerrero, Mexico, forced to migrate due to poverty and violence, as well as migrants at the U.S-Mexico border. I aim to capture a new chapter in the United States about how U.S. policies impact these communities, focusing on remittances, deportations and the impacts that these policies will have in both countries.

*A young girl harvests poppy to produce opium paste in Montaña de Guerrero, Guerrero.*

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

Rebecca Conway “Torn Water” (Pakistan)

This project documents civilian trauma in the Indian-administered Kashmir Valley, the focus of a separatist insurgency for over three decades. The support of The Alexia will enable the completion of this project in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, documenting how decades of living in similarly repressive circumstances has cemented Kashmir’s mental health crisis.

*Kashmiri mourners offer prayers in Watchohallan village in Shopian, south Kashmir, some 80 kilometers from Srinagar, during the funeral of Rasiq Ahmed Khan, about 22, who was found shot to death.*

Jiatong Lu “Nowhere Land” (USA)

“Nowhere Land” centers on the silent epidemic of chronic Lyme disease in the U.S., a disease spread through tick bites. The worsening tick problem, driven largely by climate change, has further fueled its spread. The project explores how the disease affects the chronic Lyme community, an often-neglected group that has endured mistreatment for decades.

two photos next to each other. left photo: an emaciated person sits in a room. right: a person stands by a body of water — LEFT: Shivani’s battle with Lyme disease began long before she was aware of it, while growing up on Long Island. At 33, a new tick bite triggered what she describes as ‘a neurological explosion,’ causing brain-on-fire sensations, uncontrollable rage, severe suicidal thoughts, insomnia, pounding migraines, and burning joints and lymph nodes, bringing her to the brink of psychosis. Years of illness and long-term oral antibiotic treatment have severely damaged her gut, leaving her reliant on liquid food and causing her to remain underweight and weak. RIGHT: Buck, 30, has been battling severe Lyme disease symptoms since 2018. Despite having worked with multiple specialists, he continues to endure a series of debilitating symptoms associated with chronic Lyme disease, which, collectively, compelled him to quit his cherished career as a filmmaker. “I am forgetful and unreliable. The disease that has possessed me has reached deep inside my soul and has taken away everything I loved about myself. It’s been seven years.”

Adra Pallón “Demothanasia. Death by depopulation.” (Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, Romania)

Demothanasia is the slow and silent disappearance of rural populations due to political inaction. This project documents the resilience of the last inhabitants, the abandonment of these lands, and the environmental consequences of depopulation. As traditional agricultural practices vanish, untended landscapes become fuel for increasingly devastating wildfire.

a person prepares food at a stove — *José prepares his meal. Despite his advanced age and mobility challenges, he continues to live alone in A Fonsagrada.*

THE ALEXIA CONSERVATION GRANT SPONSORED BY THE FSTOP FOUNDATION — PROFESSIONAL

RECIPIENT: Morgan Heim, “The Most Valuable Bird in the World” (Peru)

“The Most Valuable Bird in the World” explores how the fallout from a far-off war and the collapse of Guanay cormorant colonies have led to a food crisis in Peru. Through stories of the science, recovery and culture of a forgotten bird and the people who rely on it, I aim to help my partners in their efforts to return Guanay cormorants to their former glory and support food resiliency.

a group of Guanay cormorant birds — Off the coast of Peru, on Macabi Island, guanay cormorants with chests painted blue and outfitted with trackers, have become honorary scientists, deployed to collect data on changing ocean physics. These trackers not only tell scientists where the cormorants are traveling and how deep they are diving, but they can measure everything from salinity, water pressure, depth and energetics of the birds’ movements. Researchers from the Universidad Cientifica del Sur are working with the cormorants — among the best seabird divers in the world — to study an array of environmental questions critical to functioning marine systems and human health.

Morgan, what does winning the Alexia mean to you? Receiving this news from The Alexia is most certainly a good vote of confidence that I am on the right track. I am so thrilled that the jurors saw how special these cormorants are and why they are fascinating and that theirs is an important story to cover. It means that I don’t have to wonder about when or how I’m going to get back to Peru to keep following this story. It means I get to keep indulging my sense of curiosity and that I get to share more cormorant images with you.

What did you think when you heard you’d won? I thought, “I did?!” Even though I’m so proud of the work done so far on this project, I know the level of talent of the applicants, so it truly was a surprise. It really lifted my spirits when I got the news. It came at this moment when I was feeling a lot of angst about life, the state of the world, and what to do next. I’m deeply, deeply honored to become a part of The Alexia community. Thank you, The Alexia. You literally have perfect timing.

RUNNER-UP: Oliver Caldow, “Protecting Kenya’s Forgotten Wilderness” (Kenya)

This documentary film explores Ulinzi Africa Foundation’s vital conservation work in Kenya, tackling poaching, human wildlife conflict and marine protection. Through the story of Raabia Hawa, its founder and director, the film highlights efforts to save the Tana Delta’s rich biodiversity. As East Africa’s first nonprofit for ranger welfare, UAF inspires action for wildlife conservation.

a baby elephant — *A wild elephant calf.*

THE ALEXIA FAITH GRANT SPONSORED BY HENDRICKS CHAPEL/SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY — PROFESSIONAL

RECIPIENT: Mark Abramson, “Blessed & Sealed” (USA)

Through documentary photography spanning over a decade, this project dives deep into the closed-off, interwoven world of Hasidic Jewish communities in New York. This long-term visual project explores kinship, family and ritual among distinct and often misunderstood sects. With trust built over years, this project shadows families from sidewalk to synagogue and from bris to burial.

*A group of men from the Stichin community within the Borough Park neighborhood gather for Purim festivities in Brooklyn, NY.*

Mark, what does being selected for this grant mean to you? I am so humbled to have this work included in a history of humanistic, visual storytelling that The Alexia has acknowledged.

What did you think when you heard you’d been selected? I was so elated and grateful when I heard the news. I couldn’t believe it. I know the families involved will also take pride in this honor because the grant is specifically focused on faith and religion. Their involvement in the dissemination of this work is deeply important to me. I hope they feel seen.

RUNNER-UP: Laura León, “Gratia Plena: Life in Enclosure” (Spain)

“Gratia Plena” explores faith as the driving force of a chosen life. It reveals the intimacy of contemplative nuns who dedicate themselves to prayer and to work within the convent walls, centering their spirituality on the well-being of others. In a world of noise and haste, they embody silence, devotion and service, offering a rare insight into an inaccessible reality.

A cloistered nun prepares lunch for the sisters at the Poor Clares convent in Carmona, Spain.

THE ALEXIA VISION GRANT — STUDENT

RECIPIENT: Milton Lindsay of Ohio University, “For Another Land” (Mexico, USA)

This project follows Mexican H-2A seasonal farmworkers on their annual journey between North Carolina and central Mexico. Having documented farmworkers’ lives in North Carolina — where they are neither welcomed nor acknowledged — for the past two years, I am now focusing on the relationships they have with loved ones in the homeland they know only half of the time.

a farmer carries a Mexican flag in a field — The growth of the H-2A program was due largely to the strict immigration policies during the first Trump Administration. It remains to be seen what impact Trump’s second term will have on seasonal farmworkers and the farms that rely on their labor.

Milton, what does being selected for The Alexia Vision Grant mean to you? The Alexia is one of the most distinguished entities in documentary photography. It is such an honor to receive this recognition, especially given the amount I have put into this project. Now, as I begin to focus on the second phase of my project in Mexico, I feel privileged to begin work knowing I am doing it with the support of this great organization.

What did you think when you heard you’d been selected? Receiving the call was very exciting. When I saw it was Bruce calling, I knew right away that it was going to be good news. Hearing I had won first prize really felt validating given the dedication and effort I have put into this project. I immediately thought of the people who have supported me during this journey, as I know how proud they will be about this great accomplishment.

Do you have a mentor you would like to thank for their assistance with your project? Throughout the two years of fieldwork, Stan Alost, graduate director of the VISCOM program at Ohio University, has pushed me to work beyond the surface of this complex topic and capture the essence of the experience for those who work in the seasonal farmworker program. And once the images were collected last fall, his vision for my project and understanding of the story I was trying to tell helped me make sense of the nearly 20,000 images in my catalog and construct a compelling narrative that captivates audiences.

RUNNER-UP: Iva Sidash of the International Center of Photography, “Seeing the Unseen” (Ukraine)

Ukraine has faced immense challenges since Russia’s invasion in 2014. Families, especially in eastern Ukraine, live with constant uncertainty, fear and disruption. “Seeing the Unseen” shows the Russo-Ukrainian war through the eyes of civilians, offering a perspective often overlooked — not about battles or military strategies, but about the everyday lives of those caught in the middle.

two women lay in the grass and embrace — *Uliana with her mother, Aliona, in Slatyne, Karkiv region, in August 2024.*

Do you have a mentor you would like to thank for their assistance with your project? Anastasia Taylor-Lind has been incredibly supportive and generous with her insight. Her guidance gave me the confidence to trust my instincts and keep going when things felt overwhelming. I’m deeply grateful for her mentorship and belief in this work.

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

Luke Johnson of George Washington University, “Gillette on the Precipice” (USA)

Founded and sustained by the energy industry, Campbell County, Wyoming, is pushing to create economic stability for its future. Having survived booms and busts in the energy industry, the town will persevere, but it’s at a crossroads: It can either commit to diversifying its economy or stay reliant on fossil fuels.

People sit on the guard rail of Gillette Thunder Speedway June 15, 2024, after the candy drop during the 2024, “Pack the Stands” free admission night in Gillette, Wyo. The community came out in droves to watch a mid-season dirt track race and stayed through heavy winds.

Do you have a mentor you would like to thank for their assistance with your project? Susan Sterner — an associate professor and Art and Design director of graduate studies in New Media and Photojournalism within the Corcoran School of Art and Design at George Washington University — has been a fantastic mentor and has really helped me shape this broad and overwhelming project into something that resonates with a larger audience while maintaining its commitment to the people of Gillette.

Working with her to edit, sequence and build a visual narrative has challenged the scope of my project and allowed me to build a plan. Sitting down with her weekly to discuss the project allowed me to break down this complex issue and moment in time into a comprehensible story.

This story has so many moving parts and legislative nuances that aren’t necessarily visible that it made looking forward challenging. Being able to talk through every bit of policy and the effects that policy might have with Susan has given me a navigable path forward, even as national policy is changing weekly.

Sadman Sakib of Counter Foto, “Hope Never Dies” (Bangladesh, Japan, England, Turkey)

“Hope Never Dies” is a documentary photography project about amputee footballers in Bangladesh. It shows their struggles with discrimination and their victories on the field. Through powerful images, this project aims to change how people see disability, promote inclusion, and highlight their strength and determination. I also plan to travel to Japan, England and Turkey to explore cultural differences in how amputee athletes are treated.

an amputee footballer in Bangladesh lays on the ground during a game — “We must accept finite disappointment but never lose infinite hope.” — Martin Luther King Jr. This project, born from a simple social media video in September 2022, has become a profound journey into the lives of amputee footballers in Bangladesh. What began as a curiosity has transformed into a deep connection with individuals whose resilience and spirit have redefined my understanding of strength.

When I started this project, he helped me understand it from social, economic and cultural perspectives. Also, the environment of his school is very open and friendly. We always get the chance to talk and share ideas with other teachers, classmates and artists. This open space for discussion helps us grow our thoughts and learn from each other.

Pablo Vergara of The VII Foundation/Academy, “Remnants of the Land” (Brazil)

“Remnants of the Land” documents the struggles of small farmers displaced by Porto do Açu, Latin America’s largest private port, located in São João da Barra, northern Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The project sheds light on the human and environmental toll of land expropriation, ecosystem destruction and fossil fuel extraction, while also highlighting the resilience of the communities.

An elderly man puts his head in his hand — Farmer Walter Toledo gestures in resignation during the resistance camp held in April 2017 by farmers from the municipality of Água Preta, V District of São João da Barra, in the northeast of Rio de Janeiro. Mr. Walter lost his land to the construction of the Port of Açu in 2012.

Do you have a mentor you would like to thank for their assistance with your project? I’d like to thank Mónica Allende, an international curator. This has been a long process, understanding the photographic narrative, the sequencing, and especially what I’m missing. Building a powerful visual story requires a lot of observation and research. The VII Foundation has been fundamental, and Mónica’s curatorship has always been very professional. I think The Alexia’s recognition comes at the right time to continue enhancing this work, which has been going on for eight years.

THE ALEXIA CONSERVATION GRANT SPONSORED BY THE FSTOP FOUNDATION — STUDENT

RECIPIENT: John Stember of University of Montana, “Grizzly Bears Returning to the Great Plains” (USA)

High up a coulee on the Montana prairie, Seth and Jennie Becker look over the windswept landscape with binoculars and point out three grizzly bear dens along the rim of a canyon. The couple, who own Stick Leg Ranch, estimate there are eight grizzly bear dens on their property. After their 9-year-old son nearly came face to face with a grizzly, they decided they needed to find a solution.

A grizzly bear sculpture stands in the middle of a gas station parking lot outside of Great Falls, Montana. Lewis and Clark encountered the highest concentration of grizzly bears during their expedition along the Missouri River near present day Great Falls. — A grizzly bear sculpture stands in the middle of a gas station parking lot outside of Great Falls, Montana, on Sunday, October 26, 2024. Lewis and Clark encountered the highest concentration of grizzly bears during their expedition along the Missouri River near present day Great Falls, Montana.

John, what does being selected for this grant mean to you? I’m often told, as an early career photojournalist, that I should leave Montana if I want to find professional opportunities. Receiving this support from The Alexia is validation for all of the hard work I’ve put in over the past year and a half on this project. Montana is arguably one of the best places in the lower 48 states to work on topics like wildfire, water, conservation, agriculture, and alongside Indigenous and rural communities. My hope is to build a life and career working within this unique visual landscape — on topics you cannot find elsewhere — in the modern American West.

What did you think when you heard you’d been selected? Coincidentally, I had just heard back from a newspaper that I was not selected for a full-time staff position. I was telling myself as one door closes another door opens — then the call from Bruce Strong popped up on my phone. As a graduate student wrapping up my program and trying to figure out my next steps, this grant comes at a great time.

Do you have a mentor you would like to thank for their assistance with your project? A variety of visual mentors have pushed me, picked up random phone calls, added words of encouragement, and provided countless hours of their time sitting down to edit and sequence work. However, I wouldn’t be here without my mentor and graduate committee chair, Jeremy Lurgio, professor of photojournalism at the University of Montana, who provided positivity and fresh eyes on the grizzly project.

THE ALEXIA FAITH GRANT SPONSORED BY HENDRICKS CHAPEL/SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY — STUDENT

RECIPIENT: Venkat Sai Akash Pamarthy of Ohio University, “Sikh Ohio” (USA)

This project explores the Sikh diaspora’s journey in Ohio, showcasing their cultural heritage, struggles and contributions. The project highlights how they preserve their roots while assimilating into American society, demonstrating that being American means enriching the collective identity, not changing who you are. It fosters understanding and appreciation of this growing community.

Harshdeep Singh Brar, 27, ties his turban at home before heading to class at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. Brar, an international student from Punjab, India, moved to the United States in 2022 to pursue a master’s degree in computer science.

Akash, what does being selected for this grant mean to you? Winning The Alexia Faith Grant signifies more than just financial support; it’s a powerful validation of my vision as a visual storyteller and the importance of long-form storytelling, especially around identity, faith, immigration and community. After applying multiple times in the past, finally being recognized brings with it a deep sense of comfort and encouragement. It’s not just about the funding — it’s about the recognition that this story matters, that people connect with it, and that there’s support to continue making a difference through photography. I’m profoundly grateful to the jurors for believing in my work and giving me this incredible opportunity to move forward with renewed purpose.

What did you think when you heard you’d been selected? Receiving the news that I had been selected as a recipient of the pop-up faith grant was truly surreal. I got an unexpected call in the middle of the day, and hearing that my work had been recognized by one of the most prestigious photography grants left me in awe. In that moment, a wave of calm washed over me. It was incredibly reassuring to know that the years of hard work, persistence and belief in this project had resonated with others.

Do you have a mentor you would like to thank for their assistance with your project? This recognition is not just a personal victory, it’s a collective one. I owe so much to my thesis chair and graduate director at Ohio University, Stan Alost, whose unwavering belief in me and my work has been a constant source of strength. Through the most challenging moments, he stood by me, offering guidance, encouragement and tough love when I needed it most. His mentorship has shaped me not only as a visual storyteller but as a more thoughtful and resilient person. This achievement is a reflection of his dedication and the countless hours he invested in helping me grow. I’m incredibly grateful to have had him in my corner throughout this journey.

RUNNER-UP: Yixi Tian, “Veiled by Cloud and Mist” (China)

This project documents Miao healers in Guizhou’s Qiandongnan, where ancestral herbal and spiritual practices support communities lacking modern healthcare. Through intimate imagery and fieldwork, it explores how these healers sustain their culture amid systemic neglect. The final work will comprise a documentary, a photobook and an oral history archive.

two photos next to each other: left: a tree branch against a white sheet in a forest. right: a hand with acupuncture needles in it — LEFT: Miao doctor Zhimin Pan said that in 1975 a man named Yu asked for his help. He wanted Pan to treat his wife, who had been suffering from recurrent abdominal pain after a sterilization procedure. The hospital had been unable to help, but Pan managed to cure Mrs. Yu using this herb. RIGHT: Acupoints on the hands can be used to treat symptoms in corresponding areas of the body.

Do you have a mentor you would like to thank for their assistance with your project? Marga Rotteveel, Docent C, St. Joost School of Art & Design, is a vibrant and inspiring person. Every time I talk to her, I feel encouraged and empowered. She always manages to identify the core issues in my work from a professional perspective and offers truly helpful advice. Many times, I find myself unsure about what I really want to express in my project, but she helps me untangle my thoughts and find clarity. I’m truly grateful for her support.

THE ALEXIA HUMAN RIGHTS GRANT SPONSORED BY CODEˆSHIFT AT NEWHOUSE/SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY — STUDENT

RECIPIENT: Pasha Kritchko of Hochschule Hannover, “Map of Memories” (Poland, Lithuania, Germany, Ukraine)

This project explores Belarus’s transformation through repression, exile and resistance. In a country where dissent is a crime, Belarusians still seek identity, freedom and unity. Through portraits and images of daily life, this project documents those who protested, fled or fought to keep their memories — and their homeland — alive.

a woman sits with her hand covering her mouth — On the night of August 28-29, 2020, due to possible political persecution, Vesta — seen here in a temporary shelter in Warsaw, Poland — and her husband fled from Belarus to Kiev, Ukraine, which became their home. At the end of 2021 and beginning of 2022, they were preparing documents to buy a house near Odessa. On February 26, after Russia launched a full-scale invasion, they went to Lviv but were unable to rent an apartment because they are Belarusians. They spent a night in a gym, where temporary housing was organized for those in need. When they crossed the border between Ukraine and Poland, Ukrainian border guards asked, “Where will you run away, Belarusians?”

Pasha, what does being selected for this grant mean to you? Receiving this news from The Alexia means I’ll be able to continue this important work with much-needed financial support. But more than that, it means the voices and stories of Belarusians are being seen, heard and valued. I’m grateful that my project will reach a wider audience. I hope it resonates beyond Belarus — that people in other societies can reflect, learn and see how fragile democracy and human rights can be, and how critical it is to protect them.

What did you think when you heard you’d been selected? I was smiling and dancing a little bit.

Do you have a mentor you would like to thank for their assistance with your project? Giulietta Palumbo, editorial director at Magnum Photos, was my mentor during the 2024 Canon Student Development Program. Giulietta helped me see that I’m not just documenting something from the outside — I am an essential part of the story. Her insight and encouragement were transformative.

RUNNER-UP: Mumin Gul of Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, “Silent Whispers” (Indian-administered Kashmir)

The conflict over Kashmir has made it an unpredictable place to live. This project examines the nuances of the conflict through the perspective of an indigenous person by portraying seldom documented human emotions ranging from despair to indignation. “Silent Whispers” intends to go beyond a mere collection of images into the hearts of individuals who live in the shadow of guns.

*A boy reacts to getting scolded by other children in Dargah, Srinagar.*

Do you have a mentor you would like to thank for their assistance with your project? I am grateful to Sarker Protick, whose practice beautifully combines the roles of image-maker, teacher and curator. He serves as the Director of Programs at Pathshala South Asian Media Institute and as a curator at Chobi Mela International Festival of Photography. Sarker assisted me with the final edit of this project. His generosity and kindness will always stay with me; he brought clarity that deeply shaped the work.

THE ALEXIA PUBLIC DIPLOMACY GRANT SPONSORED BY THE PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AND GLOBAL COMMUNICATION PROGRAM AT NEWHOUSE/SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY — STUDENT

RECIPIENT: Shubhadeep Mukherjee of Jamia Millia Islamia, “Smells Like Home” (India)

This project retells the stories of forced migration from the eastern frontiers of India post 1947 Partition using images and interdisciplinary techniques to visually reflect the multi-layered feeling of displacement. Based on stories of my own family, it expands to 10 different families through collaborative portraiture and sensory elements, centering on themes of memory and lost homes.

two photos next to each other. left: an old photo with red paint over the eyes of the subjects in the photo. right: an old picture in a box — LEFT: With old age overpowering his memory, my father does not recognize the people in the photograph I found in a box and which now stands as a testament to the untold stories of partition, of families torn apart and lives forever altered. My father still keeps it in the old trunk that reminds him of his childhood and playful evenings. RIGHT: Old photographs are supposedly the only heirloom my family had left me. Our otherwise affluent life had transformed to a humble one overnight when my father’s family was forced to flee to India — the sole option if one wanted to live.

Shubhadeep, what does being selected for this grant mean to you? Receiving The Alexia is a dream come true for any photographer. The first is always the most special and the most memorable. For me, this is the first grant of my life with “Smells Like Home.” The news of having received an Alexia grant is a reminder that my work holds value and that I have been able to make a mark with my storytelling approach.

This grant is also the critical financial support that “Smells Like Home” needs to continue documenting these fading memories that would soon be silenced by time. Receiving the grant also brings the opportunity to connect with visionary minds, and I am sure this will further help me develop my art of storytelling.

In early 2025, a writing workshop with Tacet Eye co-founder Sarah Blesener, an educator, interdisciplinary artist, and a visual researcher based in New York City, transformed my writing style and poured life into what “Smells Like Home” has become. Her exercises — coupled with follow-up work and her mentorship, acknowledging me reaching out to her to know further and help with my work — added to the finer points of the project. Receiving a prestigious Alexia grant is a testimony to the expert’s eye that Sarah lent to “Smells Like Home.” The grant shall forever continue to serve as a reminder that it is never too late to pursue your dreams, and that persistence always works in the long run.

What did you think when you heard you’d been selected? When I heard the news, I honestly did not know what to say or how to react. It was 9:30 p.m. IST, and I had not expected a call confirming the news. It was a U.S. number, and when the person calling identified as Bruce Strong, my heart skipped a beat. I took time to process the news because this is the very first time that I am getting a grant for “Smells Like Home.” Mr. Strong understood me and repeated the news. It was then that I realized it was true. To my wife, I could only utter one word, ‘Alexia.’ I am elated that the project resonated with the jury, and I can now finally take it further.

Do you have a mentor you would like to thank for their assistance with your project? My mentor is Danielle Khan Da Silva, a photographer, storyteller and National Geographic Explorer. She is also the founder and executive director of Photographers Without Borders. For a self-taught photographer with little to no exposure in photography and storytelling except for an innate passion, I was constantly fueled by Danielle Khan Da Silva. It commenced in 2022 with an online workshop and mentorship with Photographers Without Borders from where “Smells Like Home” started evolving further. Dani continued to render feedback whenever I reached out and helped me improve my project. Dani has been a part of the project since it was taking shape and was in its initial stage and had given me the much-needed platform as well with “Smells Like Home.” Most importantly, as my mentor, her words of encouragement, that I believe is of utmost necessity to anyone, further boosted me.

RUNNER-UP: Klaus Galiano of the International Center of Photography, “Leaving the Airport Behind” (USA)

This place-based photo essay explores the complexities of immigration on a time and space context, and it emphasizes the temporary nature of a tent complex built by New York City to house migrant families on an abandoned airfield in the city outskirts. The essay portrays the dignity of migrants, suggesting an understanding of temporary living and departures.

A set of five large white tents installed on a former airfield, including one that serves as a dining area. — A set of five large white tents was installed on this former airfield, including one that serves as a dining area. It has two entrances: the main one closer to the bus stop, and the back entrance, where large buses transport children to school and where staff park. Migrants who own motorcycles or other vehicles also use this entrance. This has changed the landscape, adding another hangar — but this time, not for planes or storage. It is certainly abandoned but now serves a different purpose. This time, it’s for people — specifically, for families.

Do you have a mentor you would like to thank for their assistance with your project? I completed this project mostly on my own after finishing my studies at the International Center of Photography, but I’m deeply grateful to the teachers and colleagues I met there. Special thanks go to Karen Marshall, chair of the Documentary Practice and Visual Journalism program. Everything I learned during that year played a significant role in the realization of this work.

I’d also like to add that sometimes even a simple conversation, or a single word, can shift the direction of a project. Such moments have helped me discover new ways to go deeper into the situations and issues I’m documenting, and to keep asking: “What’s the next photograph I need to make?” That search — filling the visual and narrative gaps in a sequence — is one of the most important elements in building a cohesive body of work.

THE ALEXIA SPORTS GRANT SPONSORED BY THE SPORTS MEDIA CENTER AT NEWHOUSE/SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY — STUDENT

RECIPIENT: Sadman Sakib of Counter Foto, “Hope Never Dies” (Bangladesh, Japan, England, Turkey)

This documentary photography project follows amputee footballers in Bangladesh, showing their struggles with discrimination and their victories on the field. Through powerful images, this project aims to change how people see disability, promote inclusion, and highlight their strength and determination. It will also expand into Japan, England and Turkey to explore cultural differences in how amputee athletes are treated.

“We must accept finite disappointment but never lose infinite hope.” — Martin Luther King Jr. This project, born from a simple social media video in September 2022, has become a profound journey into the lives of amputee footballers in Bangladesh. What began as a curiosity has transformed into a deep connection with individuals whose resilience and spirit have redefined my understanding of strength.

Sadman, what does being selected for this grant mean to you? This news from The Alexia means a lot to me. It will play a very important role in spreading my story. The people I work for, my family, my teachers, and my friends — this news will bring joy to all of them. It will serve as a great source of encouragement for me in my work. If my project helps a disabled person come forward in life and change the attitudes of those who don’t see disabled people in the normal way, that would be my greatest achievement.

What did you think when you heard you’d been selected? When I first received the news, I was filled with joy and emotion. I have worked so hard on this project, and receiving this recognition made me feel very good.

Do you have a mentor you would like to thank for their assistance with your project? I would like to thank Saiful Huq Omi, a documentary photographer, filmmaker, educator and the principal of Counter Foto — A Center for Visual Arts. When I started this project, he helped me understand it from social, economic and cultural perspectives. Also, the environment of his school is very open and friendly. We always get the chance to talk and share ideas with other teachers, classmates and artists. This open space for discussion helps us grow our thoughts and learn from each other.

RUNNER-UP: Murphy McFarlane of Syracuse University, “As Tough as Ice” (USA)

From on the ice to off, navigating a traditionally male-dominated sport cultivates a unique culture of strength, determination and sisterhood across all levels of women’s ice hockey as generations of trailblazers inspire the next era of young women.

a female hockey player holds her hockey stick — *During the yearly hockey photo day, Layla Townsend, defender, struggles to wear the “serious face,” a common pose hockey players sport.*

Do you have a mentor you would like to thank for their assistance with your project? While there was a litany of mentors who helped from ideation to distribution, Prof. Milton Santiago at the Newhouse School provided insight to navigate the subject matter professionally, leaving room for me to expand my skills as an independent filmmaker. I feel blessed and am extremely thankful that even in a solo production, I was able to find a team, as it would be impossible without the advice and guidance of each and every mentor.

THE ALEXIA EMERGING PHOTOGRAPHER GRANT SPONSORED BY THE VII FOUNDATION — YOUNG PROFESSIONAL/STUDENT

RECIPIENT: Pasha Kritchko of Hochschule Hannover, “Map of Memories” (Poland, Lithuania, Germany, Ukraine)

Riot police disperse a protest in Minsk, Belarus, against President Alexander Lukashenko on the day of his inauguration for a sixth term, Sept. 23, 2020. Riot police in Belarus are known for brutal tactics; on this day, water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets were employed to suppress demonstrators. Thousands of protesters were detained throughout the country after the 2020 election, which was widely criticized as fraudulent. Human rights organizations documented numerous cases of police violence, including beatings and torture of detainees.

Pasha, what does being selected for this grant mean to you? For several years, I had been following The VII Foundation and hoping to take part in their programs, but there were not many options to apply from my region and once my application was rejected. That’s why receiving this grant means so much. It opens the doors for me to build a relationship with The VII Foundation, to learn from them and from the other photographers in the program. It also gives me the opportunity to continue working on my current project, to start new ones, and to keep growing as a photographer with a lot of new knowledge and inspiration. I truly believe that the idea of community and the support within it means a lot.

What did you think when you heard you’d been selected? It was just a moment of a simple joy without a lot of thoughts. I need a little bit of time to realize what happened and what it really means for my path in documentary photography.

Do you have a mentor you would like to thank for their assistance with your project? Prof. Christoph Bangert of Hochschule Hannover and FOTOBUS Society always finds the right words to motivate me. His belief in the importance of my work helps me push through difficult moments.