A record number of photographers will receive a Magnum Foundation Emergency Fund grant this year, after the organization struck a partnership deal with the Prince Claus Fund.

Eighteen photographers will split the $138,000 allocated to continue work on under-reported issues.

This year’s grant proposals vary widely and include projects by Poulomi Basu​, investigating dangerous Indian rituals; by Chien ­Chi Chang​, who examines the turning points in Aung San Suu Kyi’s transition from inspiration to leader in Burma; by Injinaash Bor, exploring teen culture and generational shifts within Mongolian society; and by Katie Orlinsky, who is interested in the effects of climate change on human-nature relationships in Alaskan villages.

Additional awardees include Danny Wilcox Frazier, ​Endia Beal,​ Alejandro Cegarra,​ Joana Choumali,​ Jordi Ruiz Cirera,​ Thomas Dworzak,​ Brigitte Grignet,​ Eric Gyamfi,​ Yael Martinez,​ Nadège Mazars,​ Showkat Nanda, Prisiit Sthapit and Angelos Tzortzinis.

The 18 grantees were selected from a field of more than 140 photographers nominated by 26 international photo editors, publishers, curators and educators. Each grant ranges from $4,000 to $12,000. The photographers will also receive editorial guidance and distribution support.

The Emergency Fund, which was founded in response to the shrinking opportunities within established media for storytelling, has supported the work of 78 photographers in seven years.

Rachel Lowry is a writer and contributor for TIME LightBox. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @rachelllowry.

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