The Open Society Institute's Documentary Photography Project has opened their 2009 competition for distribution grants ranging from $5,000 - $30,000. Eligible photographers must have already completed a body of work surrounding issues of social justice, and would use the grant in partnership with a non-profit organization, NGO, or a community-based organization as a means for enacting social change through photography.

Former Hot Shot, Nina Berman was awarded an OSI Distribution Grant in 2005, surrounding her body of work, Purple Hearts, exhibited at Jen Bekman Gallery during the Fall, 2008. She used her grant to travel around the country with injured former soldier, Robert Acosta, making multimedia presentations to high school and collage-aged audiences where there is active military recruitment.

Please visit the website for additional information about eligibility, to apply, and to learn about previous grantees. Applications will be accepted until June 19, 2009.