Are you passionate about microscopy and photography? The Nikon Small World Competition 2025 invites scientists, artists, and enthusiasts worldwide to showcase their stunning images and videos captured through a light microscope. Celebrate the beauty and complexity of life at the microscopic level and compete for prestigious prizes.
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:
Prizes
Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition
Nikon Small World in Motion Video Competition
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.
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 script, macro or other automated means are void. 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
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 script, macro or other automated means are void. 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.
Apply for Nikon Small World Competition
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