Photo competition "Images of Research"

Photos serve as mediators between scientists and laymen. They arouse the curiosity of people of all ages and professions and provide insight into the interior of otherwise closed laboratories. To bring the fascinating world of research to a large-scale audience, the news magazine FOCUS and vfa, the Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies, established the photo competition "Images of Research" in 2005. With more than 1.400 entries "Images of Research" is one of the biggest German competitions for science photography.

The competition called for the most beautiful and spectacular pictures from all scientific disciplines, such as biology, medicine, physics or astronomy. Scientists, professional photographers and ambitious amateurs are invited to submit their pictures in the categories of "Fascination of Research" and "Faces of Research."

Category 1: Fascination of Research

This category comprises all pictures that represent scientific processes and phenomena. This also includes photographs using various imaging procedures such as scanning electron microscopy, magnetic resonance imaging, X-ray technology as well as pictures taken with conventional technology that serve scientific purposes.

Category 2: Faces of Research

The pictures in this category focus on people in research. They depict scientists with their curiosity and passion to uncover the secrets of nature or people who have been helped by research.

The jury

The prominently staffed jury consists of experts from various disciplines: journalists, scientists, photographers and representatives from FOCUS magazine and vfa. The jury selects the best photo from the categories of "Fascination of Research" and "Faces of Research." The two categories "Fascination of Research" and "Faces of Research" are endowed with a prize money of EUR 10,000 each. The split-up and distribution of the prize money lies in the discretion of the jury, the prizes are awarded in cash.