🌍 IARU Biodiversity 🌿 on Campus Photo Contest 📸

Our aim is to create a collection of photos that show the incredible range of biodiversity on 11 university campuses around the globe. Each photo submitted should portray a living thing - from tiny insects and majestic trees to colorful flowers and rare animals, we want to see the world through your eyes. Let's celebrate biodiversity together!

IARU is a network of eleven universities, spanning from Australian National University, University of Tokyo, Bejing University, National University of Singapore, University of Cape Town, ETH Zurich, Copenhagen University, Oxford University, Cambridge University, to Yale University and UC Berkeley. 

The pictures will be judged by an international jury

and the winning pictures 🏆 will be exhibited on all participating university campuses.

Terms and conditions / FAQ

Who organizes the Biodiversity Photo Contest?

The Biodiversity Photo Contest is organized by the International Alliances of Research Universities (IARU). The organizing universities include the Australian National University, the University of Tokyo, the National University of Singapore, Oxford University and ETH Zurich. ETH Zurich is the project leader. You are welcome to contact the organizers at sustainablity@ethz.ch.

Who can submit photos?

Anyone can take part in the photo competition, as long as the photos were taken on a campus from the IARU network. IARU is a network of eleven universities, spanning from Australian National University, University of Tokyo, Bejing University, National University of Singapore, University of Cape Town, ETH Zurich, Copenhagen University, Oxford University, Cambridge University, to Yale University and UC Berkeley. Participants do not have to be affiliated with one of the universities.

Is there a limit to the number of entries I can submit?

No, there is no limit. A participant can submit as many entries as he or she wants to.

Is there a limit to the number of votes for the public voting?

Yes, the number of votes is limited. You can only vote once per photo.

Is there a time limit within which the photos must have been taken?

Yes, your photo must not be older than one year at the time of the call for entries.

When is the closing date?

We are accepting entries for the biodiversity photo competition until October 31, 2025, 23:59 CET.

Do you accept digitally manipulated images / AI-generated images?

The Biodiversity Photo Contest is a photo contest. The jury only accepts self-taken photos, completely artificially generated images will not be accepted. Digitally / AI-edited photos are allowed. Participants must make clear how the submissions have been edited in the comments section. Photos must not be manipulated in a way that changes the meaning of the picture.

How will the photographs be judged?

An international jury from the organizing universities will judge all submissions based on public voting, content and originality.

How do I know if I have won an award?

We will notify award winners by email right after the jury meeting until November 15, 2025. 

What is the copyright policy and how can the Biodiversity Photo Contest use my photos?

By participating in the photo competition, you confirm that you are the creator of the submitted photographs and that all individuals depicted in the photos have consented to their public display. By taking part the participant grant the organizer the right to publicly present the submitted photos in connection with the photo competition. In using the photo(s) the organizer will credit the photographer. This use of the photos by the organizer and the partners is non-exclusive and non-commercial. This means that the participant may continue to use the photos, and that the organizer or the partners do not pursue any commercial aims with the submitted photos. The right of use is unlimited in terms of time, space and medium.