international photography research fellowship

Since 2014, The Image Centre has offered a variety of fellowships for research related to photography. Research fellows have the opportunity to study select areas of The Image Centre's photography collections first-hand. These include the acclaimed Black Star Collection of photo-reportage, with over a quarter-million prints spanning the 20th century; a historic and fine art photography collection; and several archives devoted to the life and work of a diverse group of photographers, including Werner Wolff, Jo Spence, Wendy Snyder MacNeil and Berenice Abbott. In 2025, The Image Centre will offer four competitive fellowships for research related to photography.

In 2025, The Image Centre (the IMC) will offer four fellowships for research related to photography. All applicants are encouraged to read the following guidelines closely and only apply to the fellowships that are most appropriate to their work and eligibility. Artists, and others seeking to do artistic research in the collections, are encouraged to apply for the Tanenbaum Fellowship exclusively.

The Nadir Mohamed Postdoctoral Fellowship

This fellowship includes a $10,000 (CAD) stipend for travel, research, and other related expenses. Candidates must hold a PhD degree. Candidates’ research should utilise the collections and resources of The Image Centre and/or Toronto Metropolitan University Archives and Special Collections. The fellow will be expected to carry out their research on-site for a minimum of one (1) to a maximum of three (3) months, between February 1, 2025 and February 28, 2026.

The Penny Rubinoff Fellowship

This fellowship includes a $5,000 (CAD) stipend for travel, research, and other related expenses. Candidates must hold a master’s degree; this includes PhD students or candidates, and excludes applicants who hold a PhD or are postdoctoral researchers. Candidates’ research should utilise the collections and resources of The Image Centre and/or Toronto Metropolitan University Archives and Special Collections. The fellow will be expected to carry out their research on-site for a minimum of two (2) to a maximum of six (6) weeks, between February 1, 2025 and February 28, 2026.

The Elaine Ling Fellowship

This fellowship includes a $4,000 (CAD) stipend for travel, research, and other related expenses. Candidates must have recently completed a master’s degree, or be working toward its completion. Students who are currently enrolled in a doctoral program, hold a PhD or are postdoctoral researchers are ineligible. Candidates’ research should utilise the collections and resources of The Image Centre and/or Toronto Metropolitan University Archives and Special Collections. The fellow will be expected to carry out their research on-site for a minimum of one (1) to a maximum of four (4) weeks, between February 1, 2025 and February 28, 2026.

The Howard Tanenbaum Fellowship

This fellowship includes a $4,000 (CAD) stipend for travel, research, and other related expenses. Candidates may hold any level of education, and/or be independent artists with relevant experience and demonstrated interests. Candidates’ research should utilise the collections and resources of The Image Centre and/or Toronto Metropolitan University Archives and Special Collections in support of their artistic practice; applicants should propose creative methodologies and outputs. The fellow will be expected to carry out their research on-site for a minimum of one (1) to a maximum of four (4) weeks, between February 1, 2025 and February 28, 2026.