The 2026 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 of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, the competition invites science-focused images that combine visual impact with clear scientific interest.

Entrants may submit photographs across five categories: Astronomy, Behaviour, Earth Science and Climatology, Ecology and Environmental Science, and Micro-imaging. Entries are judged on two key criteria: aesthetic quality and the ability to convey an interesting scientific phenomenon.

The competition is especially relevant for researchers, scientists and graduate-level science communities who use photography to document, interpret and communicate the natural world. With shortlisted images displayed in an online exhibition and winning work recognised by Royal Society Publishing and The Royal Photographic Society, it offers a strong platform for scientific photography.

There is no entry fee.

Eligibility

Open to anyone studying or working in science at graduate level or above, except employees of the Royal Society, their families, agents, or third parties directly associated with administering the competition.

Prize

Each category winner receives £500, and the overall winner, selected from the category winners, receives an additional £500 for a total prize of £1,000. The overall winner is featured on the cover of a Royal Society journal and receives a full Article Processing Charge waiver for their next open access publication in the Royal Society journal portfolio; category winners also receive individual certificates and one-year Royal Photographic Society memberships.