For this contest, our emphasis is on authentic scientific data that is visually compelling and thought-provoking, rather than on artistic renderings, illustrations, or graphics. We are seeking images arising directly from research, including but not limited to:
- Cellular or subcellular fluorescence/confocal images
- Cryo-EM structures or atomic force micrographs
- Protein or nucleic acid structures
- Molecular dynamics snapshots
The winning entry will be featured on the cover of FEBS Letters, and the winner will receive a prize of €500. We will publish an article featuring the winning image and runners-up in the Scientists' Forum, in which the creators will provide a paragraph about the image and their research.
Please note that images created using commercial generative AI are not eligible for our 2026 Cover Contest. Images generated through scientific methods that employ machine learning are eligible.
How to enter
Submit your entry via email to the FEBS Letters Editorial Office at febsletters@febs.org between 18 March 2026 and 30 Sep 2026. Each entry should consist of:
- A high-resolution image file, formatted as either JPG or PNG. You should name your file e.g. "YourName_CoverContest.jpg".
- An explanatory caption for your image of up to 200 words. You should include some technical information, e.g. the type of microscopy used, but this should not be a figure caption. Rather, you should tell us what you find interesting or beautiful about the image in the context of your research.
- Authorship information for your image. Please include your name, email address, and institutional affiliation.
For full details, please see the contest page here.
https://febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/18733468/2026-cover-contest
Good luck, and we look forward to seeing your work!