imd in Australia

National Essay competition among Australian Microbiologists

When: 17 September

Time: All day

Where: Primary schools in La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina

A nationwide IMD 2026 essay competition will invite Australians to explore “The Most Overlooked Microorganism-and Why It Matters.” In collaboration with ASM Australia and ASM USA, the initiative aims to promote microbiology, scientific literacy, creativity, and public engagement.

As part of “International Microorganism Day (IMD) 2026”, we will host a nationwide “essay competition” in collaboration with Australian Society for Microbiology and American Society for Microbiology to encourage students, early-career researchers, and the wider community in Australia to explore the fascinating world of microorganisms and their impact on our lives. Participants will be invited to share their ideas, perspectives, and creativity through essays highlighting “The Most Overlooked Microorganism -and Why It Matters”. The competition aims to inspire curiosity, promote scientific literacy, and foster public appreciation of microbiology by encouraging participants to communicate the importance of microorganisms in an engaging and accessible way. It also provides a platform to celebrate diverse voices and innovative thinking within the Australian community while strengthening connections between researchers, educators, students, and the public. Winning entries will be selected by a judging panel based on originality, scientific accuracy, and communication, with the winners officially announced during the “IMD on 17 September 2026”. Through this initiative, IMD 2026 seeks to inspire the next generation of microbiologists, showcase the creativity of participants, and reinforce the importance of microorganisms in our life.

Programme of the day:

On 17th September, winners will be announced on the social media handles of the Australian Society for Microbiology

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