The Eamonn McCabe Bursary
In recognition of the significant legacy and widely-held respect across photography for Eamonn McCabe, the RPS, in partnership with Eamonn McCabe's family and The Guardian and Observer newspapers, has launched the Eamonn McCabe bursary.
This new bursary launched in 2024 commemorates the life of photojournalist Eamonn McCabe (1948-2022). McCabe started as a sports photographer before moving to wider editorial work, mainly working for The Observer and The Guardian newspapers. He was widely respected and supported a generation of photographers from the 1980s to the 2020s. Through his own photography, books and broadcasting, he did much to raise awareness of photography’s history and significance to a wider public. He was Fellow of the RPS.
This bursary looks to continue that legacy. It is supported by Eamonn McCabe’s family and The Guardian newspaper.
In 2024 the bursary will provide £3000 to a photographer aged 25 years or under to deliver a photography project responding to the theme of ‘sporting endeavour’. This can be interpreted as widely as the applicant wishes, but the general approach should be editorial, suitable for publication. The project should normally be new, not previously exhibited or published.
The completed project will be published by The Guardian and the RPS and we will work with the successful applicant in bringing their project to a wider audience. Each recipient will also have the opportunity to have your portfolio printed by Metro Imaging and receive remote mentoring from its director Steve Macleod.
Applicants should be aged 25 years or under on that date, and living, working or studying in the UK. Interviews via Zoom will take place in September and we would expect to announce the recipient by the end of September. The project should be completed within one year of it being awarded.
The RPS would like to acknowledge the support of his wife Rebecca Smithers and children Ben McCabe and Mabel McCabe.
2024 Recipient: Nathan McGill
Project: Wicket - Women in Cricket
The project aims to focus on gender representation in sport, particularly addressing the gender stereotypes and male-centric portrayal of Yorkshire’s cherished sport—cricket. Women in cricket are often underrepresented, unheard, and unseen.
Through my perspective, the power of my words, and the tool of my camera, I seek to delve into the lives of women and girls who adore, love, and play this sport. I aim to develop a documentary portrait project that places these players at the heart of the narrative, highlighting the diversity and equality within local communities.
This project is fundamentally a community endeavor, centered on their portraits and their stories. It seeks to collaboratively rebuild the image of women in sport, giving them the visibility and recognition they deserve
Explore more:
Who was Eamonn McCabe?
Eamonn McCabe was a photographer, picture editor, writer and broadcaster, who was generous in his support of other photographers.
Submissions Closed for 2024
Full details of how to apply for the Eamonn McCabe bursary can be found when applications are open.
Applications are currently closed and will be reopening in 2025.
Support the Eamonn McCabe bursary
Please consider supporting the next generation of photographers by making a donation. If you are a UK taxpayer we can also claim Gift Aid on your donation.