Submissions open for Through Southern Lenses: Science in Focus photography award

The Through Southern Lenses: Science in Focus Award, jointly organized by TWAS and Conrado Wessel Foundation (FCW), is now accepting submissions. This international award celebrates the power of photography to communicate science and its impact on society.

Submissions are open from 20 November 2025 to 15 February 2026, via southernlenses.org. Participation is free, and AI-generated images will not be accepted. The winning Photo Essay will receive US$20,000 and be featured in an international exhibition.

The award is open to photographers who are nationals of a developing country in the global South. Participants may submit one Photo Essay composed of 10 original photographs, produced within the last five years. 

This year’s theme, “Glaciers and Deserts”, invites photographers to explore the striking contrasts and shared vulnerabilities of these extreme environments, reflecting on resilience and adaptation in the global South.

For full guidelines and eligibility, visit southernlenses.org.

Questions? Contact contact@southernlenses.org.