Skip to main content
Division of Academic and Student Affairs 
Office of Undergraduate Research

Envisioning Research

This contest is sponsored by the Graduate School, Office of Research and Innovation, Office of Undergraduate Research, NC State University Libraries, and University Communications and Marketing.

The goal is to celebrate the beauty of research in all fields through a variety of media, and to engage the greater NC State community and public with the value and impact of research.

Undergraduates are especially encouraged to participate!

Visit Contest Page
close-up of balsa wood bridge structure showing geometric patterns

Funding

  • First-place winners in each category receive $250.
  • Second-place winners in each category receive $100.
  • Undergraduate contestants only compete against each other, and winners’ prizes are awarded by the Office of Undergraduate Research.

Undergraduate Eligibility

  • Must be an NC State-enrolled undergraduate student.
  • Must be submitting a piece that is your own original creative work that does not violate or infringe the copyright or other proprietary or intellectual property rights of others.
  • Must agree to all contest regulations.
  • There are no citizen or visa requirements to compete or receive a monetary prize.

Contest Categories

Photography

Submissions should be in a JPEG format and must be high-resolution. Photos of field work welcome.

Microscopy

Submissions should be in a JPEG format and must be high-resolution.

Graphics and Data Visualization

Submissions can be in JPEG, TIF, GIF, or PDF formats and must be high-resolution.

Video and Interactive

Submissions can be in MP4 or WMV formats and must be two minutes or shorter (shorter preferred).

Additional Parameters

Deadline

  • Winners will be announced in late summer/early fall 2025 and exhibited on the Art Wall in James B. Hunt Library.
  • Submission Window for the Envisioning Research 2025 Contest: January 13, 2025-April 25, 2025.

Submission Process

Submission guidelines along with the submission form are provided on the Envisioning Research main website.

Contestants will be asked to provide the following:

  • Submission Piece, Noting the Following:
    • Created/Saved at the highest resolution, but may be compressed to meet the upload maximum.
    • Use the file naming format, “Category_Last Name”
  • Research Description (150 words or less, including title)
  • Global or Regional Impact of Research (1-2 sentences)

FAQs

Yes, submissions from all types of research experiences are welcome! If submitting as a team, one person must be selected as the point of contact.

Yes, submissions from all fields of research are welcome!

No, pieces created using generative AI at any step will not be accepted.

Yes, multiple submissions in one or more categories are welcome, but must be submitted separately.

Yes, but one person must be designated at the point of contact.

For current students, monetary prizes will be disbursed to their student account.

For students who have graduated since the close of the contest, monetary prizes will be disbursed as a check. Additional paperwork is required so please be on the lookout for emails from the Office of Undergraduate Research!

No, monetary prizes must be disbursed to student accounts per university policy.

Yes, graduating seniors are still eligible to participate and to receive any monetary prizes after they have left the NC State.

Camera Equipment

Students can borrow cameras and related equipment from the University Libraries.

Studio Spaces

The University Libraries has spaces and resources you can use to work on your graphics and video submissions.

Data Visualization

Students looking for help with their data visualization should check out the services offered by the University Library’s Data & Visualization team.

Past Winners

Looking for some inspiration to help guide you? Take a look at the previous winners in all categories to get ideas for your own submissions.

If you have questions please contact gradschool-image-contest@ncsu.edu.