BioArtAttack (2D) 2025 competition

This competition is for people aged 7-18 years old to draw or paint their favourite animal, plant or fungi. The competition is open to entries of two dimensional artworks only. Please read the competition's terms and conditions before entering your drawing via this webpage.

This competition is now open until 3 July. You can enter our competition free of charge.

The BioArtAttack 2D (UK) competition is for 2D artworks (without labels or descriptions) featuring an endangered animal, plant or fungi species. This is open to all young people aged 7 - 18 years old and currently living in the UK. Teachers can now download a poster for this competition for your classroom or school’s labs. This competition is now open until 3 July.

The BioArtAttack 2D (Nancy Rothwell Prize 2025) competition is open to all young people aged 7 - 18 years old from anywhere in the world, including the UK. The Nancy Rothwell Prize is a sub-category specifically for specimen drawings entered into this competition - these can be of any animal, plant or fungi. Competition entries into this category need to include labels and descriptions on the artwork itself. Teachers can now download a poster for this competition for your classroom or school’s labs. This competition is now open until 3 July.

About the competition

This competition celebrates and highlights the benefits of combining art and science.

Teachers can download a free lesson plan to help your students prepare their artwork for either the BioArtAttack (2D) for artwork without labels. Or, for the Nancy Rothwell Prize for specimen drawings (which need to include labels and descriptions within the artwork). The lesson plan is useful for inspiration and ideas for both strands of the competition. You can enter our competition free of charge.

Prizes
There are three age categories (7-11, 12-14, and 15-18) and for each age group prizes are awarded for:

BioArtAttack 2D (UK) competition
A winner currently living in the UK (will be awarded a prize bundle provided by Defra to mark the 50th anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) coming into effect; and an invitation to take part in an experience day event at the Royal Veterinary College). To be awarded to a young person for their 2D artwork (without labels or descriptions) featuring an endangered species; animal, plant or fungi.

BioArtAttack 2D (Nancy Rothwell Prize 2025) competition
A winner from anywhere in the world, including the UK will receive a cash prize of £50; and an invitation to take part in an experience day event at the Royal Veterinary College. To be awarded to a young person from any country, as a specific named specimen drawing prize (The Nancy Rothwell Prize 2025) to recognise specimen drawing in schools and to highlight the benefits of combining art and science.

All winners will be invited to an experience day at the Royal Veterinary College.

Find out more about previous award winners.

Contact

Please contact us by email if you have any queries regarding the BioArtAttack (2D) competition.

Award support

The Royal Society of Biology wishes to thank the Royal Veterinary College for its continued support of this award.

The Royal Society of Biology wishes to thank the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) for providing a prize bundle this year to be awarded to the winners of the BioArtAttack 2D (UK) competition in 2025. To mark the 50th anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) coming into effect.