The Wellcome Photography Prize 2027 is now accepting submissions from photographers and image-makers around the world that “sparks curiosity, offers fresh perspectives and starts important conversations.”

The competition, which is approaching its 30th anniversary, is free to enter and seeks ambitious images that explore how health is experienced, represented, and understood.

Entries can explore experiences of illness and care, disability, mental health, aging, scientific discovery, biomedical research, climate change, environmental health, infectious disease, healthcare, community wellbeing, or any other subject at the intersection of health, science and human experience.

Competition Categories

Entrants submit their work to one of three categories with one winner selected from each category, each receiving £10,000.

Striking Solo Photography
Captivate people with a single photograph that stirs imagination and starts conversation about health, science or medicine.

A Storytelling Series
Tell a richer story with 3-5 photographs to reveal different perspectives or explore a health-related issue in greater depth.

The Marvels of Scientific & Medical Imaging
Capture the wonder of human health in a single image created by a scientific or medical imaging technique.

What Kind of Stories Is Wellcome Looking For?

Wellcome is looking for “compelling images that explore urgent health challenges and scientific discovery – from mental health, infectious disease and climate change to the fundamental research that expands our understanding of life, health and wellbeing.”

Past winners and finalists have explored topics including (but not limited to):

• Mental health
• Infectious diseases
• Climate change
• Medical and scientific innovation
• Biomedical research
• Genetics
• Neuroscience
• Laboratory science
• Microscopy
• Disability and accessibility
• Endometriosis and chronic illness
• Identity, appearance and living with visible differences or medical conditions
• The health impacts of water scarcity
• Pollution
• The health impacts of environmental degradation
• Climate migration
• Access to healthy environments
• Medical technology
• Anatomy and physiology

How the Prize Works

A total of 25 finalists will be selected.

• Three category winners (one from each category) will each receive £10,000.
• Twenty-two additional finalists will each receive £1,000.

Total prize fund: £52,000 ($70,000 USD).

All 25 finalists will receive international recognition and be celebrated at the Wellcome Photography Prize 2027 awards ceremony in the UK. This prestigious in-person event brings together visual image makers and storytellers, industry professionals, researchers, policymakers, and influencers who are all passionate about understanding and improving health.

You can submit your work on the Wellcome Photography Prize website through October 21, 2026.

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