Our much‑loved Microbe Art Contest, held on 17 September 2026 in support of International Microorganism Day, invites participants to celebrate the wondrous world of microbes by creatively sharing art inspired by microbiology.

The contest brings together artistic imagination and scientific discovery, encouraging individuals to interpret microbiology in unique and engaging ways, from intricate illustrations to bold, abstract pieces inspired by microscopic life. By blending creativity with research, it offers a platform for artists, scientists, and enthusiasts alike to explore and showcase the beauty, diversity, and importance of microorganisms, making science more accessible and inspiring to a wider audience.

Our much‑loved Microbe Art Contest, held on 17 September 2026 in support of International Microorganism Day, invites participants to celebrate the wondrous world of microbes by creatively sharing art inspired by microbiology.

submission Categories

Your contest entry can take many forms such as an image, photograph, painting, video, animation, cartoon, or even a petri dish creation.

agar art

illustration or painting

photography

cartoon

physical piece

writing

How to enter

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How to enter *

Step 1: Choose Your Category & create

Select your category and begin creating your microbe‑inspired artwork. Explore past submissions below and gather inspiration.

Please note: AI‑generated designs are not permitted. Any illustrations, artwork, photos, or images created using AI tools will be disqualified from selection.

Step 2: Submit and Share

Once submissions open, share a photo of your artwork on your preferred social media platform. Include a description of your piece, and be sure to tag @IntMicroDay and use the hashtag #InternationalMicroorganismDay to enter.

You can post your entry on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

If you do not have a social media account but would still like to participate, please feel free to send us your entry via email info@internationalmicroorganismday.org

Deadline 10 September 2026

Step 3: Winner Announcement

Winners will be selected by the FEMS and IMD team and announced throughout the day on 17 September via the IMD website and social media channels.

Winning artworks will be showcased on the IMD website and may be used in promotional materials for the following year.

FEMS will be involved in the selection process and winners will be recognised in the FEMS monthly newsletter.

Good Luck!

winners from the Microbe Art 2025 contest

Composite image merging a Bacillus subtilis biofilm with a night shot of Berlin, showing a bacterial structure in orange and yellow against a black background.
Photograph of a Persian carpet with intricate patterns, displayed as part of a social media post celebrating the Microbe Art 2025 competition winner.
Screenshot of a social media post celebrating a microbiology art contest winner. The post includes a green label with bold black and white text reading 'Microbe Art Winner Agar Art' and a photo of a petri dish with blue and white microbial art. The post congratulates the winner for creating microbial art that captures the spirit of 'ohana and art.
A microscopic image of a Bacillus subtilis biofilm with complex structures, highlighted in yellow and orange, against a dark background, awarded for Microbe Art Photography.
A social media post celebrating Microbe Art 2025. It features a cartoon with a character asking, 'Why can't I reach them?' and a robot replying, 'Trust me, I tried.' The post includes a green banner with bold text saying 'Microbe Art Winner Cartoon' and hashtags related to microbiology and Microbe Art 2025.
A Twitter post celebrating International Microorganism Day, featuring a green background graphic with the title 'Microbe Art Winner Writing' and a poem about microorganisms in a modern, clean design.
A colorful acrylic painting featuring various microbes and microorganisms, with text overlay reading 'Microbe Art Winner Painting' on a bright green background.

winners from the Microbe Art 2024 contest

Digital artwork showcasing microorganisms, including a green bacteria in the foreground, with colorful abstract structures and a chaotic environment symbolizing a fight against antibiotic resistance.
Colorful drawing of various lichens displaying diverse shapes and colors, including green, orange, gray, black, and purple, celebrating International Microorganism Day.
Microscopic view of a microorganism with a rounded body and hair-like structures, surrounded by smaller particles or organisms, seen through a pinkish background.
Illustration of a single-celled organism, likely a microorganism, with a yellowish-green color. It has a bulbous body with a tail-like projection and small branches or roots extending from its base, depicted with a simple, cartoon style.
A tweet from International Microbiology Day celebrating Lara for her poetic words in a microbial-themed poem. The tweet includes an image of a poetic tribute with colorful illustrations of microbes, plants, and abstract shapes.
Petri dish with a world map drawn in microbial culture.
A hand-drawn cartoon infographic about microorganisms, depicting various microorganisms with labels, traits, and humorous descriptions, centered on International Microorganism Day.
Colorful crochet artwork resembling a beaded necklace with various geometric shapes, a green crochet insect, and two crochet mice, one pink and one purple, displayed on a white surface.