The Wellcome Photography Prize 2027 is an international photography competition exploring the connections between health, science and everyday life. Organised by the Wellcome Trust, this biennial prize invites photographs and scientific images that reveal the human experience of health, document urgent medical challenges or offer a closer look at scientific discovery. Entries can explore mental health, infectious diseases, climate and health, or research that expands our understanding of life and wellbeing.
There are three categories. Striking Solo Photography focuses on individual images with a strong visual story, while A Storytelling Series allows photographers to explore a subject through three to five related photographs. The Marvels of Scientific and Medical Imaging is dedicated to images created using techniques such as microscopy, MRI, CT scans, X-rays and ultrasound. Subjects can range from personal experiences of illness to laboratory research and the effects of environmental change on human health.
The judging panel will consider visual impact, creativity, storytelling and technical quality, with particular attention to the context behind each image. Every submission must include an accurate caption and relevant metadata. Images must be suitable for printing, with an uncompressed file size of at least 15 MB and the Adobe RGB (1998) colour profile. TIFF and high-resolution JPEG files are preferred, and any significant image manipulation must be explained in the accompanying caption.
Entry fee: Free to enter in all three categories. There is no limit on the number of submissions, but each image may be entered only once.
Eligibility
Open to photographers, researchers and image makers of all ages worldwide, including collaborative teams, submitting original photographs or scientific and medical images created after 31 December 2021, with parental consent required for entrants under 18; AI-generated images, illustrations, moving images, previously shortlisted or winning entries, and works commissioned by Wellcome are excluded, and entrants must hold the necessary rights and permissions.
Prize
The Wellcome Photography Prize 2027 offers a total prize fund of £52,000. One winner in each of the three categories will receive £10,000, while a further 22 selected entries will each receive £1,000. The top 25 entries and the category winners are expected to be announced in summer 2027. Selected photographers and image makers may also have opportunities to participate in events and share their work with wider audiences.