Named in honor of photographer Martha Cooper—whose lifelong commitment to documenting everyday life, cultural expression, and human dignity has shaped how communities around the world are seen and understood—the Martha Cooper Scholarship (MCS) supports long-form documentary photography that reflects shared human experience and social responsibility. For the 2027 cycle, the Foundation Berliner Leben will award its third Martha Cooper Scholarship, continuing a multi-year commitment to sustained, thoughtful photographic practice.

The scholarship offers a photographer from Africa, Asia, or Latin America the opportunity to spend 10 months developing an artistic documentary project that engages with contemporary social realities and contributes to greater cross-cultural understanding. In line with values often emphasized by Urban Nation Museum, the program recognizes documentary photography as a vital tool for visibility, dialogue, and empathy in an increasingly complex world.

The Martha Cooper Scholarship is grounded in the annual theme of Fresh A.I.R., Stiftung Berliner Leben’s residency program, which addresses current social and political conditions while foregrounding the diversity of lived experience and perspective. The selected 2027 scholar will live and work in a Fresh A.I.R. residency in Berlin-Schöneberg throughout the scholarship period.
The current call is for the 12th class of Fresh A.I.R, running from February 2027 to November 2027.

Click HERE to learn more about the Martha Cooper Scholarship and who qualifies to apply.

Click HERE for the APPLICATION FORM

The first Martha Cooper Scholarship was awarded to photographer Dylan Mitro for the 2025 MCS. Mr. Mitro was chosen from dozens of submissions. Dylan successfully completed his scholarship in November of 2025 with an exhibition of his proposal and work in Berlin. Click HERE and HERE to read about Dylan’s work during his time as the MCS Scholar in Berlin.

The second Martha Cooper Scholarship was awarded to photographer Mourad Fedouache of Morocco for the 2026 MCS. Mr. Fedouache will arrive in Berlin on February 1st to begin his 10-month residency as the second MCS Scholar, which will conclude in November of this year.