CPOY teams up with Reuters to give top college photographer once-in-a-lifetime internship

A collage of images from past CPOY competitions behind a "CPOY" title.

By Austin Fitzgerald

COLUMBIA, Mo. (Aug. 12, 2024) – The Missouri School of Journalism’s College Photographer of the Year (CPOY) competition announces a partnership with Reuters to award a 12-week paid internship to the winner of its premier Portfolio category.

“Reuters recognizes the essential role that emerging photographers play in the future of photojournalism and is proud to support them as they explore their new careers,” said Rickey Rogers, global editor of Reuters Pictures. “Our partnership with the University of Missouri allows us to identify some of the top young talents and immerse them in the experience of working as part of a Reuters team.”

CPOY is the most prestigious college photography competition in the world, annually receiving more than 10,000 entries from up to 50 countries and 160 educational institutions worldwide. The Reuters internship will be available to the top student photographer from virtually any country and will allow the student to gain unparalleled on-the-job experience in the field with the Reuters Pictures team. This opportunity supports both organizations’ shared goal to increase diversity and inclusion in the profession.

“Our partnership with Reuters offers the 79th College Photographer of the Year a career-defining opportunity to further explore their passion for photography, develop new skills and learn from an incredible team of award-winning photojournalists,” said Jackie Bell, director of CPOY.

CPOY is supported by the Reynolds Journalism Institute (RJI).

“This partnership with Reuters is a perfect match with the global scope of CPOY, the collaborative, impact-driven work of RJI and the hands-on, Missouri Method principles of the School of Journalism,” said Randy Picht, executive director of RJI. “It’s a great opportunity to turn this showcase of talent into a meaningful career-building opportunity for a young photographer.”

The partnership continues a tradition of collaboration at CPOY that benefits students — an ongoing co-sponsorship from Nikon allows CPOY to keep entries free. Now, with Reuters, the competition has yet another dimension for its premier Portfolio winner. The “Gold” winner receives an immersive internship that includes training in visual reporting, photo editing and ethics alongside world-class professionals.

Graduate and undergraduate students at any college, university or educational institution worldwide can submit entries to the 79th CPOY competition beginning Aug. 17 until the deadline of Sept. 16. The competition is open to students who have worked less than two years as full-time professional photographers or videographers (including paid internships). Submit entries here: CPOY 79 Entry Site

Updated: August 12, 2024

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