Description
The goal of this international competition is to identify and showcase scientific micrographs and movie clips. While there must be scientific content in the images, winning entries will also exhibit exceptional composition and other esthetic qualities. The competition, open to all types of microscopy, is divided into three categories:
- Published micrograph category: static/still images first published within the calendar year prior to the contest.
- Open micrograph category: unpublished static/still images acquired by any microscopist.
- Video micrograph category: movie/streaming data clips up to 15 seconds in length, or up to 60 seconds in length with the proviso that only 10-15 seconds will be used, acquired directly with a microscope or generated as a video reconstruction from microscopy data. Confocal light microscopy image stacks that create 3-D images may be submitted as a still or as an animated sequence exhibiting 3-D characteristics.
A panel of judges will identify a number of finalists in each category and also select the first ($500), second ($300), and third ($100) prizes in each category. Members of the microscopy community will have the opportunity to vote for the "people's choice award."
Deadline
The annual deadline for submission is March 15 or the following Monday if this day falls on a weekend.
Rules and Eligibility
- Images submitted must have been taken by the submitter.
- If the copyright to the image is owned by another person or organization, permission must be granted to enter the image. Be sure to obtain a digital signed permission form (see below) before proceeding to the submission page.
- The permission form must be submitted with your submission. You can download that form here.
- Up to three images may be submitted per year, and the images do not have to be in the same category.
- Current editors and editorial board members of Microscopy Society of America publications, as well as current MSA Council members, are not eligible to submit to this competition.