Calling young creatives: Enter RSB’s 2025 biology competitions

Discover how young people can explore biology through art and photography – and get support to take part!

The Royal Society of Biology (RSB) has launched two exciting competitions for 2025, offering opportunities for young people to engage with biology and the natural world through photography and art. Please share and read on for opportunities to get involved and funding you can apply for to support participation.

RSB’s BioArtAttack (2D) 2025

The Royal Society of Biology’s BioArtAttack (2D) 2025 is a children’s 2D art drawing and painting competition for 7 – 18 year olds to draw or paint their favourite animal, plant or fungi. The competition is now open for submissions, and prizes include an invitation to take part in an experience day event at the Royal Veterinary College. Winners of BioArtAttack 2D (UK) competition will be awarded a prize bundle provided by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to mark the 50^th anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) coming into effect. Winners of BioArtAttack 2D (Nancy Rothwell Prize 2025, specimen drawing) competition will receive a £50 cash prize. The deadline for entries is 3 July. Visit the Royal Society of Biology’s website for more information about the competition, how to take part and prizes.

Royal Society of Biology Photography Competition 2025

‘Restoring Biodiversity and Habitat’ is the theme of this year’s Royal Society of Biology Photography Competition which is open to amateur photographers in two age categories; 18 year olds and over, and under 18s . Visit our website for more information, how to take part and prizes. Submit up to three images through the competition’s webpage by 19 June.

Get Involved

Do you know any young people who would like to get involved in these competitions? Promote these opportunities to your children’s schools, youth groups, or any community organisations you work with. If you’re involved in outreach work with young people, this could be a great opportunity to encourage them to participate.

You might even consider setting up an event or outreach initiative where young people can create their artwork for the competition. If you need support, the SEB Outreach Grant could help fund your efforts. Visit the SEB Outreach Grant page to learn more about how you can apply: SEB Outreach Grant 2025.

These competitions provide a wonderful platform to inspire engagement with biology through art and photography. SEB encourages researchers to share these opportunities with their networks, inspiring young scientists and creatives to explore the wonders of the natural world.

Author

Rebecca Ellerington

OED Manager, Society for Experimental Biology

Rebecca joined the SEB team in May 2020 and, despite not meeting anyone in person yet owing to COVID restrictions, she has immediately bonded with the other team members and is already making significant contributions to our outreach, education, and diversity work. “While I have a background in both bioscience research and outreach work, throughout my career the most exciting times have been when I’ve taken my passion for research and science and tried to communicate that to groups outside my field,” says Rebecca. “It’s great to see people who wouldn’t normally interact with science get excited about research. If I can use my new role to help other SEB members to do that too, I think it will be brilliant for research, for career development, and for personal enjoyment.”

One issue Rebecca feels very strongly about is increasing diversity in science and academia. “Diversity and equality is not only fair, but the unique perspectives and individual experiences each person brings to the table will help us solve the immense scientific challenges we are facing today. In this role, I hope to introduce initiatives to inspire the next generation, no matter their background, to pursue a career in bioscience, and help SEB members develop valuable career skills in the process by getting involved.”