We are pleased to announce the 81st College Photographer of the Year competition.

We will receive entries from August 24 to September 21, 2026. Judging will take place from October 17 to 24 and will be livestreamed. Read the rules and ethics standards closely to be accepted. Please follow @collegephotog on Instagram and our website for updates on how to watch judging live or how to attend in person.

We believe that open and transparent judging allows student photographers to learn from the conversation, builds public trust, and lets jurors share their own humanity through honest discussion. We hope you have a chance to follow the judging process.

The University of Missouri and the Reynolds Journalism Institute administers CPOY with support from its co-sponsor Nikon Inc., whose generosity allows CPOY to offer free entry to students in educational institutions worldwide. We thank them for their 20-year dedication.