The New Orleans Alliance (NOPA) will begin accepting applications March 1st, 2016 for the Michael P. Smith Fund for Documentary Photography (MPS Fund) 2015 grant.

The MPS Fund, established by NOPA to honor the legendary New Orleans photographer Michael P. Smith, awards one $5,000 grant annually to a Gulf Coast photographer for artistic work on a long-term cultural documentary project.

Both emerging and established photographers residing in the Gulf Coast states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida are eligible to apply. The subject matter for the proposed project, however, is not limited to the Gulf Coast region.

Last year, the grant was awarded to photographer Cate Sampson, for her “All The Places You’ve Got” series, picturing a haunting black and white journey in the Louisiana swamps.

The MPS announced that this year’s juror will be Stella Kramer, a Pulitzer Prize winning editor, creative strategist and independent curator who notably served as photo editor for The New York Times series “Portraits of Grief” in 2001.

NOPA will accept grant applications from March 1st through May 1st, 2016. Submission guidelines, and downloadable application form can be found on the Michael P. Smith Fund’s website.