🏆Image Contest 2026

The Journey to the Winner’s Circle!

Here’s how we’ll get from submission to celebration.

• Submission Time!
  Send in your digital entry by (submission deadline – TBA) and get ready to showcase your scientific image and its story.

• The Selection Process
  Our team will review all submissions and select the images that will be featured in the public exhibition.

• Printing & Preparation
  Once the selection is made, we’ll produce the chosen entries in poster format.

• Exhibition Opening (July 3, 2026): Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften—your image becomes part of a high-visibility public science event right from the start.

• Exhibition and Voting Time! (14 days)
  After the opening night, the exhibition stays open for two full weeks—giving visitors plenty of time to explore the images, discover the science behind them, and come back with friends and colleagues. During the exhibition, visitors can vote for their Visitors’ Favorite image. Every vote counts—so feel free to spread the word and invite your networks to visit and vote!

• Take Center Stage: Pitch Your Image at the Planetarium (September 14, 2026 /Public Event)
  The contest culminates in a public Pitch Your Image Night at the planetarium: all selected images will be presented again in the dome theatre, and brave participants will deliver a 3-minute live pitch (Science-Slam-inspired, scientifically accurate). This is your moment to bring your image to life, share the “why” behind it, and inspire the audience.

• The Awards: Live at the Planetarium
  We’ll present the prizes during the planetarium pitch event:
  🏆 Best Pitch (jury award) and 🏆 Visitors’ Favorite (public vote from the exhibition).

Calling All Researchers and Students: Participate in Our Image Competition!

We invite members and students of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, as well as local institutes and scientific institutions, to participate in our exciting image competition.

Important Details:

• By submitting an image, you accept our conditions of participation (see Terms & Conditions)
• The competition is organized by the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU), Core Facility Microscopy
• For any questions or concerns, please contact: stephanie.krueger(at)biozentrum.uni-halle.de

Join the Competition and Showcase Your Work! We look forward to receiving your stunning images and sharing them with the scientific community. Don’t miss this opportunity to highlight your research and creativity!

Biozentrum – Atrium
Weinbergweg 22
06120 Halle

Planetarium Halle
Holzplatz 5
06110 Halle

https://www.planetarium-halle.de/

Images must be submitted in JPG, JPEG, PNG, or TIFF format, with a minimum resolution of 300 dpi, and must be sized to fit within the DIN A1 dimensions (approximately 59.4 x 84.1 cm). All image submissions must be made through the digital registration form provided on our website

Images should be of the highest quality in terms of file size, bit depth and resolution (max. 20 MB). The images must have been taken by the entrant using an imaging device. Re-colouring is permitted. The submission description has to be written in German and English, as the additional information will be displayed bilingually.

Submission Deadline: TBA

The submitter must be in possession of the copyright or ancillary copyright/any copyright or ancillary copyright of the recording. The entry must not contain any material that infringes the rights of others. This also includes trademark, data protection, publicity, copyright or other intellectual property rights. There is no right of veto against the selection decision of the university, the hanging in the public exhibition and the award ceremony. Legal recourse is excluded. The entrant expressly declares that his/her entry fulfils the aforementioned conditions. The university reserves the right to exclude participants from the photo competition if they violate the conditions of participation.

Get Ready to Shine! Pitch Your Image at the Planetarium and Win!

Calling all imaging enthusiasts and storytellers! We’re excited to invite you to the public “Pitch Your Image” finale of the Scientific Image Contest 2026—taking place in a truly special setting: the planetarium (September 14, 2026).

This is your chance to present your scientific image and the story behind it to a live audience and a jury of experts—Science-Slam-inspired, but scientifically accurate.

Take the Stage and Convince the Crowd! In just 3 minutes, you’ll pitch your image, your method, and the key message of your research. To support your storytelling, your image will be projected in the planetarium dome—immersive, large-scale, and impossible to miss.

The most convincing and engaging presentation will take home the Best Pitch award—presented live at the event. The Visitors’ Favorite award (based on voting during the 14-day exhibition) will also be announced and awarded that night.

The Format

• Each participant has 3 minutes to pitch their image and story.
• Your image will be presented in full-dome projection during your pitch
• The audience can ask questions—please note: only 3 questions total from the whole audience (so choose wisely!)

By participating, you agree to our simple terms: 

• You are responsible for the content of your pitch—please keep it original and respectful of others’ rights (incl. image rights/credits).
• You’ll comply with event rules, especially the 3-minute time limit.
• The jury’s decision is final—so be ready to impress with clarity, creativity, and scientific substance.

Ready to pitch your image under the dome? Don’t miss this opportunity to present your work in one of the most memorable science communication venues in town. We can’t wait to see your images—and hear the stories behind them!

Have Your Say: Vote for the Visitors’ Favorite!

The images are stunning, the science is fascinating—and now it’s your turn! During the public exhibition, you can vote for your favorite image and help decide who wins the Visitors’ Favorite award.

How to Vote:

• Look for the QR code displayed in the exhibition
• Scan it to open the online voting page
• Browse the selected images and pick your favorite
• Cast your vote and make it count!

Why Your Vote Matters

The Visitors’ Favorite prize celebrates the image that best connects with the public—sparking curiosity, wonder, and conversation. Every vote helps highlight science that resonates beyond the lab.

Important Dates

• Voting is open throughout the exhibition (July 3–July 17, 2026)
• Voting closes at the end of the exhibition: July 17, 2026 (6:00 pm)
• The Visitors’ Favorite winner will be announced and awarded live at the public Pitch Your Image event in the planetarium on September 14, 2026

Don’t forget to vote before the deadline—your voice decides which image takes the public’s top prize!

Terms and Conditions