Biofilm Create! Competition – Now Global

Scientists and industry professionals can present their research, innovations and real-world applications in imaginative ways, while members of the public, budding artists and photographers can discover biofilms in everyday and unexpected environments.

Monetary prizes will be awarded to first (£200), second (£100) and third (£50) place in both the Photography and Art categories. The Special Theme: Industry category will have one winning entry, which will receive £200. 

The competition is now open and will run until 5pm UK time on Friday 23 October 2026.

Please submit your entries using the online application form. 

Take a look at our Biofilm Image Gallery and Biofilm Art Gallery for some inspiration. The gallery contains a selection of images from our three previous competitions. 

We look forward to seeing your creative interpretations of biofilms and celebrating the incredible diversity of biofilm research, innovation and discovery from across the globe. 

All Entries

All entries should include a title and a short description explaining the biofilm connection and the inspiration or context behind the work. This information will be considered as part of the judging process. 

Art Category

For the art category, examples of entries could include the following (this list is not exhaustive).

Take a look at our Biofilm Create Guide for a definition of ‘art’ and tips on photographing physical artwork. Please contact us if you have any questions in relation to art forms we will accept.   

Photography Category

For the photography category, will accept images taken on any type of camera or device using microscopic imaging equipment.

Our Biofilm Create Guide provides guidance on where to find biofilms and tips on snapping biofilms either in real life, or under the microscope.    

Special Theme: Showcasing the Impact of Biofilms in Industrial Settings 

With biofilms estimated to cost the global economy more than $5 trillion each year, the 2026 Special Theme category invites industry professionals and researchers to showcase the impact of biofilms in industrial environments. 

Entries could highlight challenges caused by biofilms, innovative solutions, applications of biofilm research, or the role of biofilms in industrial processes. Examples of industrial sectors impacted by biofilms include: 

• healthcare; 
• marine; 
• engineering; 
• food and agriculture; 
• the built environment; 
• water and wastewater; 
• energy; 
• personal care and home care; 

We particularly encourage entries that demonstrate how biofilm research is helping to solve real-world industrial challenges or create new opportunities.

Entries to the Special Theme category may be submitted in any of the accepted formats listed under the Art and Photography categories. 

Judging 

A diverse panel of judges will consider creativity, originality, composition, imagination, scientific or industrial relevance, communication of biofilm concepts and overall impact across all categories.

We will confirm the outcomes to the winners, judges and entrants by 13 November 2026. 

NBIC will publicly announce the winners of the Biofilm Create! competition during #BiofilmWeek, which will take place from 18-24 November 2026.

Eligibility and T&Cs 

• Participants can enter multiple times but can only receive one prize per category. If an individual is scored highly enough to win multiple prizes in a category, we will default the prize to the next highest scoring participant, but will acknowledge the highly rated score when we announce the winners.  
• The competition is open to international participants, and prizes will be available to eligible winners worldwide. International participants are encouraged to use the hashtags #BiofilmCreate and #BiofilmAware to support the campaign, share their entries and raise awareness of biofilms within their own networks. 
• We will accept entries from anyone over 18, including members of the public, scientists, academics, students, industry professionals and amateur photographers/artists from around the world. 
• You must have been involved in the production of the image and/or artwork and have secured permission (from all the other parties) to enter.   
• The NBIC Executive Management Team, NBIC Operational Team, and NBIC Board Members are unable to enter.    
• We will not accept entries that have previously been submitted to any Biofilm Create! competition. Previous participants are welcome to submit new work. 
• AI-generated images or artwork will not be accepted. The use of AI tools to manipulate, enhance or alter photographs or artwork in a way that changes the original content is also not permitted. NBIC reserves the right to update its guidance on AI use if technology or best practice changes. AI detection software may be used to review entries. 
• NBIC reserves the right to publish submitted entries, with appropriate credit given to the creator, across its website, social media channels and other communications throughout the submission period to publicise the competition. Such publication does not guarantee an award of any kind. 
• Please do not send physical artwork by post. We can only accept artwork in the digital formats specified above. Depending on the number and quality of entries received, NBIC may explore opportunities for an in-person exhibition in the future, so participants are encouraged to retain their original artwork. 
• Images on websites and social media can potentially be shared and viewed throughout the world and not just in the United Kingdom and some overseas countries may not provide the same level of protection to the rights of individuals as EU/UK legislation.  
• NBIC reserves the right to disqualify any entry that does not meet the eligibility criteria, breaches these terms and conditions, contains inappropriate content, infringes copyright, or includes misleading or inaccurate information. 
• Personal information submitted as part of the competition will only be used for administering the competition, contacting winners and promoting the competition in accordance with NBIC’s privacy policy. 
• Participants should ensure that submitted entries do not disclose confidential, proprietary or commercially sensitive information without appropriate permission. 
• By entering the competition, entrants agree that if their entry is awarded first, second or third prize in either category, it may be used by NBIC, including NBIC teams at the Universities of Edinburgh, Liverpool, Nottingham and Southampton, for promotional, educational and communications purposes. Winning entries may be published, in whole or in edited form, across NBIC channels and materials, including websites, newsletters, social media, exhibition materials, annual reports, press and publicity materials, printed publications and newspapers. Where feasible, the creator will be credited. In addition, if an entry is selected as the winner of the Industry Special Theme Prize, the entrant agrees that their winning entry may also be used by any industry sponsors for its promotional, educational and communications purposes, with appropriate credit provided where feasible. NBIC may also share winning entries with third-party media or PR agencies solely for the purpose of producing materials on behalf of NBIC or, where applicable, any industry sponsors, for the relevant project, campaign or event. NBIC and any industry sponsors will make all reasonable efforts to ensure entries are used appropriately, and entrants may request to see copies of publications in which their winning entry has been used. 
• Entrants may choose to give permission for NBIC (including NBIC teams at the Universities of Edinburgh, Liverpool, Nottingham and Southampton) to use non-winning entries for promotional, educational and communications purposes. Where consent is given, entries may be published, in whole or in edited form, across NBIC websites, newsletters, social media, exhibition materials, annual reports, press and publicity materials, printed publications and other NBIC communications. Where feasible, the creator will be credited. This consent is entirely optional and will not affect the judging of the competition or the entrant’s chances of winning. 

If you have any questions about the Biofilm Create! competition, eligibility, submission formats or the application process, please contact us at nbic@biofilms.ac.uk