The Ian Parry Scholarship 2019 opens for entries

The Scholarship is dedicated to the memory of Ian Parry, a photojournalist who died aged just 24 while covering the Romanian revolution in 1989 for The Sunday Times. Aidan Sullivan, then picture editor, along with Ian's friends and family, created it to build something positive from the tragedy – and it continues to play a vital role in reinvigorating the world of photojournalism today.

Entrants to this year's contest must submit a portfolio and a clear proposal of a project they'd undertake if they won the scholarship. Each of the winners will receive $3,500, plus a loan of Canon equipment, to help them complete their project. They'll also attend a portfolio review day with leading industry experts in London.

"The scholarship exists to find and support the very best young people striving to produce powerful, meaningful photojournalism in a 'selfie' obsessed world," says award-winning photojournalist and Ian Parry Award board member Tom Stoddart. "Ian would be immensely proud of the long list of internationally-known photographers who were helped at the start of their careers by the scholarship that bears his name."

The winner of The Canon Award for Potential will further receive a year-long mentorship program led by Magnum photographer Jonas Bendiksen – a 2002 winner of the Ian Parry Scholarship, who went on to join Magnum Photos in 2004. His work often focuses on isolated communities and enclaves, and he's received numerous awards, including the 2003 Infinity Award from the International Center of Photography, New York, and first prize in the Pictures of the Year International Awards.

As well as the prize money, Canon equipment loan, portfolio review and mentorship, the Canon Award for Potential winner will also have the opportunity to take part in the Transmissions Programme at the Visa pour l'Image festival of photojournalism in Perpignan, France.

Meanwhile, the winner of the Award for Achievement will be see their work appear in The Sunday Times Magazine, and will be automatically accepted into World Press Photo's final list of nominees for the Joop Swart Masterclass in Amsterdam.