Deadline: August 14, 2026
2026 Royal Society Publishing Photography Competition
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge
Open globally
August 14, 2026
Five categories:
- Astronomy – for images of astronomical bodies, or that demonstrate astronomical or astrophysical phenomena
- Behaviour – for images that show the behaviour of living species
- Earth Science and Climatology – for images of physical processes or features related to Earth, including its oceans and atmosphere
- Ecology and Environmental Science – for images that demonstrate the interaction of species within the environment and the environment itself
- Micro-imaging – for any images taken using microscopes and other high-magnification imaging devices
Open to anyone studying or working in science at graduate level or above. Employees of the Royal Society, their families, agents, or third parties directly associated with administering the competition are not eligible.
Free
- Overall winner: £1,000 (or currency equivalent) + featured on the cover of a Royal Society journal + full Article Processing Charge (APC) waiver on their next open access publication in the Royal Society journal portfolio
- Each category winner (not selected as overall winner): £500 (or currency equivalent)
- Category winners receive individual certificates and one-year Royal Photographic Society (RPS) memberships
- The final shortlist selected by the judges will be displayed in an online exhibition
The Royal Society Publishing Photography Competition celebrates photography that captures scientific phenomena and helps make science accessible to a wider audience. Organised by the Royal Society, the competition invites science-focused images that combine visual impact with clear scientific interest, targeting the graduate-level science community. Entries are judged on two key criteria: aesthetic quality and the ability to convey an interesting scientific phenomenon. The competition offers a prestigious platform for scientific photography, with winning work recognised by both Royal Society Publishing and The Royal Photographic Society. For any questions, please contact imagecomp@royalsociety.org.
