IMI Award for Affiliated Organisations

This award recognises excellence in visual communication within the healthcare sector, specifically in the fields of design, photography, and video. It serves to highlight exemplary work produced by members of our affiliated organisations and to promote best practices across disciplines. We encourage entries that demonstrate innovation, technical skill, and clarity of communication in a clinical or healthcare environment.

The recipient of this award will be granted a one-year Affiliate membership with the Institute of Medical Illustrators, along with a £100 cash prize.

How to Enter

Eligible submissions are welcomed from members of:

  • Medical Artists’ Association
  • Association of Medical Illustrators
  • Ophthalmic Imaging Association
  • BioCommunications Association
  • British Association of Retinal Screening
  • Australian Institute of Medical and Biological Illustration
  • Association Européenne des Illustrateurs Médicaux et Scientifiques

Please note that IMI members are not eligible to enter for this award.

All entries must be submitted via the official IMI Awards online portal below.

Each individual may submit one entry. Joint submissions are welcome. Please ensure that all entries adhere to the file type, resolution, and size specifications listed below for each category.

It is the entrant’s sole responsibility to obtain all necessary patient consents and/or copyright permissions prior to submission.

Please note: Entries must not include images that are fully or partially created by artificial intelligence (AI) systems (including GANs or similar technologies). By entering, you affirm that your submission is your own original work, created without the use of AI image generation. IMI reserves the right to disqualify any entry found to be in breach of this requirement.

Submission Deadline: 4th September 2026

Category Guidelines & Requirements

Photography and Ophthalmology entry requirements:

  • Allowed file types: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdf
  • Maximum file size: 15MB
  • Resolution: 300dpi
  • A short description should include details on the brief, the subject, and your individual contribution to the final submission (maximum 50 words)

Graphics entry requirements:

  • Allowed file types: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdf
  • Maximum file size: 15MB
  • Resolution: 300dpi
  • A full description should include details on the brief, the subject, the purpose of the artwork, the media/software used and your individual contribution to the final submission (maximum 50 words for each question).

Video entry requirements:

  • A link to downloadable content
  • A short description should include details on the brief, the subject, and your individual contribution to the final submission (maximum 50 words)
  • A still frame from the video for display purposes

– Allowed file types: jpeg, jpg, gif, png, pdf
– Maximum file size: 15MB
– Resolution: 300dpi

Usage Rights

By submitting to the IMI Awards, you grant IMI the right to use your work for future display, publicity, and promotional purposes, including online platforms and publications such as the Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine, without prior notice or payment. Proof of consent or copyright clearance may be requested at the discretion of IMI.

For any queries, please contact awards@imi.org.uk