In judgingLucie Foundation

International Photography Awards (IPA) 2026

Run by the Lucie Foundation, IPA is one of the largest fine-art photography programmes in the world, spanning professional, non-professional, and student tiers across dozens of categories. The 2026 cycle introduces a structural change: AI-generated images are no longer banned outright but are sequestered in their own category, ineligible for Photographer of the Year or Discovery of the Year. Top prizes reach 10,000 US dollars plus the Lucie statuette. Entry remains open until 30 June 2026.

AI: category-onlyRAW for finalists
Deadline
June 30, 2026
Entry fee
From $40 single image (professional); discounted rates for non-professional, student, and multi-category entries
Official siteRead full rules

Authenticity policy

AI policy

AI-generated Images have been moved to their own separate category, so that AI-generated images will only be judged and compared against other images in that category. AI-generated Images will only be eligible for prizes within that category (gold/silver/bronze in sub-categories, and overall category), but will NOT be eligible for the Photographer of the Year and Discovery of the Year.

RAW files

Not specified

Editing rules

IPA distinguishes AI-generated images (camera-less, banned from main prizes) from AI-assisted editing (denoise, sharpening, colour grading via machine learning). The latter is permitted across photography categories provided the base image was captured with a camera. Documentary and photojournalism categories prohibit compositing and significant content alteration.

Verified on June 12, 2026

Frequently asked questions

Does International Photography Awards (IPA) 2026 allow AI-generated images?
Only in a designated category. International Photography Awards (IPA) 2026 permits AI-generated images solely in a specific AI category; entries in other categories must be camera-made.
Are RAW files required to enter International Photography Awards (IPA) 2026?
Finalists may be asked to supply their RAW files for verification.
When is the International Photography Awards (IPA) 2026 entry deadline?
Entries for International Photography Awards (IPA) 2026 close on June 30, 2026.
How much does it cost to enter International Photography Awards (IPA) 2026?
From $40 single image (professional); discounted rates for non-professional, student, and multi-category entries

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