BioArtAttack 2D
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.
The 2026 competition will be open from 5 June until 23 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.
BioArtAttack 2D (UK) Competition
This 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 will be able to download a poster for this competition for your classroom or school’s labs.
Amazonian Poison Dart Frog by Ameka Karthick — 2025 winner
The Flamingo by Kelly Wong — 2025 winner
Nancy Rothwell Prize
This prize 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 will be able to download a poster for this competition for your classroom or school’s labs.
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 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 animal, plant or fungi species.
- Nancy Rothwell Prize 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 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.
- The winners will also be invited to attend the Biology Week Awards Ceremony in London in October.
Please email us if you have any queries regarding the BioArtAttack 2D competition.
The Royal Society of Biology wishes to thank the Royal Veterinary College for its continued support of this award.
We have blank participation certificates available to download for anyone who took part in the 2025 competition:
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