Eligibility
The IMI Awards is open to all IMI members professionally engaged in medical illustration. Individual and team submissions are permitted, provided they are weighted in favour of IMI members (for example, in a team of two, both entrants should be IMI members; in a team of three or more, the majority of entrants must be IMI members).
How to enter:
- All entries must be submitted using the official online IMI Awards portal.
- Entries to the Awards must have been created within the time period since the closing of the previous awards (30th May 2025).
- Entries are limited to three per person.
- Joint submissions will count as one of the three allocated entries for the lead entrant only. If successful, certificates will be issued to the lead entrant only.
- All entries must meet the file type and specified size requirements for each category.
- It is the sole responsibility of the entrant to secure all necessary patient consent and/or copyright permissions.
- Entries may not include images that are fully or partially created by artificial intelligence (AI) systems, including generative adversarial networks (GANs) or similar technologies. By submitting an entry, the entrant affirms that the artwork is an original work created solely by the entrant without the use of AI image generation. The competition organizers reserve the right to investigate any entry suspected of violating this rule, which may result in disqualification if AI involvement is confirmed.
- The deadline for submissions is 29th May 2026.
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).
- Supporting hard copies are welcomed and can be submitted upon request, please email awards@imi.org.uk for more information
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
IMI reserves the right to the future use of all entries without prior notice or payment. Entries may be used for display, advertising and publicity purposes in relation to IMI and the Awards Competition (including the Internet and social media platforms). If the entry is selected for the Wellcome Award, future use may be included in the Wellcome picture library and subsequent distribution to third parties. Please note that winning entries may also be published online and in print in publications such as the Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine. IMI shall be entitled to call for evidence that such permission has been obtained.
Judging
Awards will be presented to those entrants who, in the opinion of the judges, demonstrate the best use of their skills as medical illustrators, the application of design, the effective communication of information and their visual effectiveness. All entries are judged anonymously. More information on the criteria for each category can be found here.
