The Nikon Small World Competition is a photomicrography competition for anyone with an interest in microscopy and photography. Nikon is a Japanese optics and photographic equipment manufacturer. They are offering up to $3,000 to individuals from age 18 who are interested in submitting either a video or photograph taken through the microscope.
Award
Photomicrography Awards
- 1st Place: $3,000
- 2nd Place: $2,000
- 3rd Place: $1,000
- 4th Place: $800
- 5th Place: $600
- 6th Place: $500
- 7th-10th Place: $400 each
- 11th-20th Place: $300 each
- Honour Mentions: $200 each
Motion Video Awards
- 1st Place: $3,000
- 2nd Place: $2,000
- 3rd Place: $1,000
- 4th Place: $800
- 5th Place: $600
- Honour Mentions: $200 each
Eligibility
This photomicrography competition is only open to the following individuals:
- At least eighteen years old at the time of entry.
- Have access to a light microscope.
The following individuals are not eligible to enter the Competition:
- Employees of Nikon Instruments Inc., Shaw & Todd, Inc., their respective parent companies and affiliated companies, and/or the immediate family and household members of each such employee.
- The Competition Judges, regardless of the date of appointment, and/or their immediate family and household members.
- Individuals engaged (as a business owner or employee) in the manufacture, distribution, and/or sale of microscopes, related accessories, and/or photographic equipment.
How to apply
Visit the Nikon Small World Competition page – linked below, and follow the links and instructions to complete the competition entry form (the “Entry Form”). Include the following information:
- Name and email address.
- Telephone number.
- A valid home address (P.O. Boxes are not permitted).
- The school, institution or other organization the Entrant is affiliated with and the address of such Affiliation.
- The type, make and model of the equipment used to capture the entry(ies) submitted to this Competition.
- a description of each image submitted, and other information requested by Sponsor.
Indicate your agreement with the official rules and that Sponsor may contact entrant regarding this competition using any of the registration information submitted, by checking the box displayed on the entry form and submitting the entry form together with all registration information and images.
Note: Applicants can upload up to three photomicrographic digital images taken by the entrant to the entry form.
Guidelines and Restrictions
- Images must be submitted in .jpeg, .png, .psd, or .tiff format.
- Images should be submitted with the highest quality with regard to file size, bit depth, and resolution.
- Images do not need to be taken with a Nikon-branded microscope.
- AI generated images are not permitted and Nikon holds the right to request the original image for verification.
- Images must be taken by Entrant using a light microscope. Images taken with an electron or any other microscope(s) that do not capture imagery using optical light technology are not eligible.
- Images must utilize a microscope objective in all work.
- Macro photography is not eligible.
- Images that have won any place or recognition previously in any active or ongoing photomicrography competition, are not eligible.
- The Submission must be in the English language.
- The Submission must not contain material that violates or infringes another’s rights.
- The Submission must not disparage Sponsor, Administrator or any other person or entity.
- The Submission must not contain brand names, logos and/or trademarks; any URL addresses; and/or the names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, image, and/or likenesses of third parties.
Application deadline
Application closes on April 30, 2025.
For more details, visit the Nikon Small World competition website.
