Getty Images is offering five grants of $20,000 each to "provide photojournalists with the funding and freedom to pursue projects of personal and journalistic significance." The grants were created in 2004, and have provided funding to photographers such as Paolo Pellegrin, Eugene Richards, Ed Ou, Lynsey Addario, Stefano de Luigi, Darcy Padilla, Miquel Dewever-Plana, Leo Maquire, Zalmai and Jerome Sessini among many others.

For its seventh edition, Getty Images is now allowing teams of photographers to enter the awards. However, it has also made changes to its student programme, which used to offer $5000 to young photographers. "This aspect of our grant program has evolved in 2011," says Getty Images. "We are now offering an opportunity for student photographers to be featured on Reportage by Getty Images." Student photographers interested in seeking representation from Getty Images, should contact the agency at grants@gettyimages.com for more information.

This year, the grants will be awarded by a panel of jurors that includes Jon Jones, director of photography for The Sunday Times Magazine; Emanuela Mirabelli, photo editor of Marie Claire in Italy; Cyril Drouhet of Le Figaro Magazine; and photojournalist Tom Stoddart. The panel is completed by Jean-François Leroy, director of the Visa Pour l'Image photojournalism festival in Perpignan, where this year's winners will be revealed.

For more information, visit www.gettyimages.com/grants.