The Factory's Expanded Photography Research Residency is a two-year program (2027–2028) based in Japan, dedicated to practitioners who push the boundaries of photography as a critical and research-driven medium. The residency is designed for those whose work engages with the photographic image beyond traditional capture—through writing, archival intervention, installation, or theoretical inquiry. It offers a rare, sustained period of research and production within a Japanese context, with access to local resources and a community of peers. As a no-fee residency, The Factory removes financial barriers to entry, underscoring its commitment to supporting rigorous, independent work. While the exact benefits are not detailed in the call, the program's structure implies a focus on process, dialogue, and the development of new work rather than a final exhibition or publication. Artists are expected to arrive with a well-defined research proposal that aligns with the residency's expanded photography mandate. The curatorial vision emphasizes criticality and experimentation. The Factory seeks applicants who treat photography as a site of inquiry—where criticism, theory, and visual practice intersect. The Japan location suggests an interest in cross-cultural exchange, local photographic histories, and the global circulation of images. This residency is not for those seeking a traditional studio retreat, but for artists who will use the time and place to interrogate the medium's evolving role.