Nikon Small World Photomicrography and Video Competition 2025

The Nikon Small World Competition first began in 1975 as a means to recognize and applaud the efforts of those involved with photography through the light microscope. Since then, Small World has become a leading showcase for photomicrographers from the widest array of scientific disciplines.

Categories

The Nikon Small World is an internationally renowned competition for images and videos taken through a light microscope. It features two distinct contests:

1. Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition: For still images captured using a light microscope.
2. Nikon Small World in Motion Video Competition: For movies or digital time-lapse photography taken through a light microscope

Eligibility Criteria for Nikon Small World Competition 2025

1. Open to anyone with an interest in photography through the microscope.
2. Participants can submit up to three (3) entries per contest.
3. Images and videos must adhere to the competition guidelines.

Guidelines and Restrictions

Photomicrography Competition

The Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition (the “Competition”) is open only to individuals who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry and have access to a light microscope. The following individuals are not eligible to enter the competition: (a) employees of Nikon Instruments Inc., Shaw & Todd, Inc., their respective parent companies and affiliated companies, and/or the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings, and children) and household members of each such employee; (b) the competition judges, regardless of the date of appointment, and/or their immediate family and household members; and/or (c) individuals engaged (as a business owner or employee) in the manufacture, distribution, and/or sale of microscopes, related accessories, and/or photographic equipment. PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPETITION AND/OR THE RECEIPT OF ANY PRIZE MAY BE RESTRICTED OR VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

1. Images must be submitted in .jpeg, .png, .psd, or .tiff format.
2. Images should be submitted with the highest quality with regard to file size, bit depth, and resolution.
3. Images do not need to be taken with a Nikon-branded microscope.
4. AI-generated images are not permitted, and Nikon holds the right to request the original image for verification.
5. Images must be taken by the 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.
6. Images must utilize a microscope objective in all work.
7. Macro photography is not eligible.
8. Images that have won any place or recognition previously in any active or ongoing photomicrography competition are not eligible.
9. The submission must be in the English language.
10. 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.
11. The submission must not disparage the sponsor, administrator, or any other person or entity.
12. The submission must not contain brand names, logos, and/or trademarks; any URL addresses; and/or the names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, images, and/or likenesses of third parties.
13. 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.
14. 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.

Each entrant may upload a maximum of three (3) images during the competition entry period. Submissions received from any person or email address in excess of the stated limit will be void. Submissions generated by a script, macro, or other automated means are void. The entrant represents and warrants that he or she owns the rights to the submission and has the full right and authority to submit the submission to the competition.

In the event of a dispute as to any submission, the authorized account holder of the email address used to register will be deemed to be the entrant. The "authorized account holder" is the natural person assigned an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted address. Each entrant may be required to show proof of being an authorized account holder.

See Small World Photomicrography Competition Rules for more information

Motion Video Competition

The Nikon Small World in Motion Video Competition (the “Competition”) is open only to individuals who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry and have access to a light microscope. The following individuals are not eligible to enter the competition: (a) employees of Nikon Instruments Inc., Shaw & Todd, Inc., their respective parent companies and affiliated companies, and/or the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings, and children) and household members of each such employee; (b) the competition judges, regardless of the date of appointment, and/or their immediate family and household members; and/or (c) individuals engaged (as a business owner or employee) in the manufacture, distribution, and/or sale of microscopes, related accessories, and/or photographic equipment. PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPETITION AND/OR THE RECEIPT OF ANY PRIZE MAY BE RESTRICTED OR VOID WHERE PROHIBITED

Guidelines and Restrictions

1. Videos must be submitted in .mp4, .mpg, .wmv, .avi, or .mov format.
2. Videos may not exceed sixty (60) seconds.
3. Videos may not include the use of sound and may not include any graphics of any kind.
4. Videos should be submitted with the highest quality with regard to file size, bit depth, and resolution.
5. Videos do not need to be taken with a Nikon-branded microscope.
6. AI-generated videos are not permitted, and Nikon holds the right to request the original video for verification.
7. Videos must be taken by the entrant using a light microscope. Videos taken with an electron or any other microscope(s) that do not capture imagery using optical light technology are not eligible.
8. Videos must utilize a microscope objective in all work.
9. Macro photography is not eligible.
10. Videos that have won any place or recognition previously in any active or ongoing photomicrography competition are not eligible.
11. The submission must be in the English language.
12. 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.
13. The submission must not disparage the sponsor, administrator, or any other person or entity.
14. The submission must not contain brand names, logos, and/or trademarks; any URL addresses; and/or the names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, images, and/or likenesses of third parties.
15. 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.
16. 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.

Each entrant may upload a maximum of three (3) videos during the competition entry period. Submissions received from any person or email address in excess of the stated limit will be void. Submissions generated by a script, macro, or other automated means are void. The entrant represents and warrants that he or she owns the rights to the submission and has the full right and authority to submit the submission to the competition.

In the event of a dispute as to any submission, the authorized account holder of the email address used to register will be deemed to be the entrant. The "authorized account holder" is the natural person assigned an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted address. Each entrant may be required to show proof of being an authorized account holder.

See Small World In Motion Video Competition Rules for more information.

Benefits of Nikon Small World Competition 2025

Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition

1. 1st Prize: $3,000
2. 2nd Prize: $2,000
3. 3rd Prize: $1,000
4. 4th Prize: $800
5. 5th Prize: $600
6. 6th Prize: $500
7. 7th-10th Prizes: $400 each
8. 11th-20th Prizes: $300 each
9. Honorable Mentions - USD $200 each

Nikon Small World in Motion Video Competition

1. 1st Prize: $3,000
2. 2nd Prize: $2,000
3. 3rd Prize: $1,000
4. 4th Prize: $800
5. 5th Prize: $600
6. Honorable Mentions - USD $200 each

How to Apply

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Application Link(s)

• Apply for Nikon Small World Competition 2025