MUMBAI: Getty Images in collaboration with Instagram, has called for entries for a new grant to support photographers using Instagram to document stories from underrepresented communities around the world.

Instagram has introduced new opportunities for emerging voices, outside the mainstream media, to create and share projects of social importance. The Getty Images Instagram grant provides financial support and mentorship to amplify their impact.

“Photographers in all corners of the world use the Instagram platform to share unique and authentic stories that otherwise rarely come into focus. Getty Images is guided by our belief in the power of pictures to move the world and we are excited to collaborate with Instagram on this grant to support and amplify new and important voices,” said Getty Images senior director of content partnerships Elodie Mailliet Storm.

Three winners will be selected based on the existing body of work represented on their Instagram account, focusing on the quality of their imagery, their photographic skills and on the project and stories told through their photos.

“We are inspired every day by the work being shared on Instagram by both established and aspiring photographers. Photographers from every corner of the world are experimenting, stretching their creativity and offering diverse perspectives. This grant captures the global enthusiasm from photographers to continue to push their craft to new levels,” added Instagram director of community Amanda Kelso. 

Applications will be accepted until 4 June, 2015. Entrants can apply online at www.gettyimages.com/grants, where they will be required to submit a biography, brief description of their approach, style, the stories they have covered and how they would benefit from the grant.

The judges are TIME director of photography Kira Pollack, World Press Photo-winning Swedish-Eritrean photographer Malin Fezehai, award-winning American photojournalist and former Miami Herald director of photography Maggie Steber, National Geographic photographer fellow David Guttenfelder and @EverydayIran founder Ramin Talaie.

The three winners will be announced in September 2015. Each will receive a grant of $10,000 and mentorship from one of Getty Images’ world-class photographers. They will also be invited to the Photoville photography festival in New York in September 2015, where Getty Images and Instagram will exhibit the grantees’ imagery.