The Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition is an annual contest that celebrates excellence in photomicrography, highlighting the beauty and complexity of the microscopic world. Open to individuals with access to a light microscope, the competition showcases scientific discovery through visual artistry. 

Participants submit photomicrographs that are judged based on creativity, originality, informational content, technical proficiency, and artistic impact. 

Winning images gain global recognition and may be featured in various Nikon publications and exhibitions.

Benefits of Nikon Photography Competition

Winners receive cash prizes as follows:

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

Honorable Mentions: $200 each

Images of Distinction: $35 gift card

Winning images gain international recognition through exhibitions, publications, and promotional materials.

Requirements for Nikon Photography Competition

The eligibility criteria include: 

Open to individuals at least 18 years old at the time of entry.

Entrants must have access to a light microscope.

The following individuals are not eligible:

Employees of Nikon Instruments Inc., Shaw & Todd, Inc., and affiliated companies.

Immediate family and household members of the above employees.

Competition judges and their family members.

Individuals engaged in the manufacture, distribution, and/or sale of microscopes, accessories, or photographic equipment.

Selection Process

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, including but not limited to trademark, privacy, publicity or other intellectual property rights, or that constitutes copyright infringement.

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.

The Submission must not contain viruses, Trojan horses, worms, bots, spyware or any other computer code that is intended to or does damage, interfere with, and/or surreptitiously intercept or expropriate any system, data or information.

The Submission must not contain material that is inappropriate, indecent, discriminatory, obscene, hateful, tortious, defamatory, slanderous or libelous, or contain material that is otherwise unlawful, in violation of or contrary to any applicable laws or regulations.

Application Deadline

April 30, 2025

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Nikon on enter.nikonsmallworld.com to apply