The Canadian Journalism Foundation and The Canadian Press have launched a new photojournalism award in memory of award-winning photojournalist Tom Hanson.

The Tom Hanson Photojournalism Award offers a six-week paid internship at The Canadian Press head
office in Toronto for a photojournalist in the early stages of his or
her career.

The award is open to any Canadian photojournalist who has been in the business less than five years – from students to freelancers to photographers working at regional publications.

Graeme Roy, Director of News Photography at The Canadian Press said in a press release:

“It’s really appropriate that we offer this internship in Tom’s name because he invested so much of his own time in nurturing photographers that he thought showed potential. We’re really pleased to be able to continue this with the help of the Canadian Journalism Foundation.”

Applications for the Tom Hanson Award will be accepted starting November 1 and must be submitted by Jan. 4, 2010. Applicants will be asked to submit a portfolio of their work to a selection committee made up of Canadian Journalism Foundation board members, photographers and photo editors from The Canadian Press and daily newspapers and members of Hanson’s family.

Finalists will be interviewed by the selection committee in January and the winner will be announced by Feb. 1. The winning applicant will complete the internship between April and September, 2010, and be paid a salary equivalent of the start rate for photographers at The Canadian Press.

Further details about the award can be found at the CJF website.