NPG Photography Scholarship Contest
Offered by Negative Population Growth, Inc.
About This Scholarship
Negative Population Growth, a Virginia-based nonprofit that advocates for a smaller, sustainable U.S. population, runs several student contests each year, and its fall photography contest is the one built for students who would rather shoot than write. Instead of a traditional essay, entrants submit an original photograph of a place that has been negatively affected by population growth — sprawl swallowing farmland, a crowded shoreline, a stressed watershed — along with a short 20-to-50-word description tying the image to the organization's core issue.
Prizes range from $1,000 to $2,500, and multiple awards are given, with winnings paid toward tuition at an accredited institution. The contest is open to undergraduate college students who are at least 14 years old, are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, and will be enrolled for the spring 2027 semester at an accredited U.S. school or a U.S. government-operated overseas school.
The technical requirements are strict but simple: JPG format only, 1 to 2 MB at 250-300 dpi, with the file named firstname-lastname.jpg. AI-generated imagery is prohibited, and you can enter more than once as long as each photo is submitted separately. Entries are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on October 26, 2026, and winners are announced on NPG's site by November 23, 2026.
Eligibility
- Undergraduate college student enrolled for the spring 2027 semester
- At least 14 years old
- U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident attending an accredited U.S. school (or a U.S. government-operated overseas school)
- Relatives of NPG employees and directors are not eligible
How To Apply
- Take or select an original photograph showing an area negatively affected by U.S. population growth
- Prepare the image as a JPG (1-2 MB, 250-300 dpi) named firstname-lastname.jpg
- Write a 20-50 word description connecting the image to U.S. population growth challenges
- Submit through NPG's online application by 11:59 p.m. ET on October 26, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to write an essay?
No. This is NPG's no-essay alternative to its spring essay contests. You submit an original photograph plus a short 20-50 word description explaining what the image shows and how it relates to population growth in the U.S.
Can I submit more than one photo?
Yes. Multiple entries are permitted, but each photograph must be submitted as a separate entry through the online application.
Can I use an AI-generated or heavily edited image?
No. AI-generated content is prohibited, and the photograph must be your own original work.