2023 MGRI Image Awards

The MGRI Image Awards (formerly MGRI Image Contest) was established in 2017 to celebrate the breath and depth of scientific research happening the doors behind the Massachusetts General Hospital. The hope is that through beautiful images, we are able to bring people closer to the science (and its purposeful meaning).  

We hope to use this as an opportunity to not only share stunning images, but also to share meaningful stories about the science and people who make this organization one-of-a-kind. In past years, some of the most popular images were selected as finalists because of their accompanying story, so we highly encourage creativity and speaking from the heart when creating your image description! 

Any MGH staff is welcome to submit images. We have a new category titled ‘Across the Bridge From MGH’ in which we encourage image submissions from investigators and research groups that directly collaborate with a laboratory or investigator(s) at Massachusetts General Hospital (you can learn about this category in more detail below).  

We have six different categories, five of which are eligible for image submissions, and one is an automatic entry.  

The submission categories are:

* Humans of MGRI: The MGRI would be nothing without the incredible people in our research community. This category is dedicated to celebrating and recognizing the scientists and support staff who make invaluable contributions to our understanding of medicine, and showcasing the human side of research and life in the lab. Submissions can include team photos and candid shots to interesting glimpses into life as a scientist and maintaining a work-life balance.

* People’s Choice: Automatic entry, and winner is decided through a public voting platform. The image with the most votes wins this category.

* A Closer Look: This category is dedicated to images that provide an up-close look into the world of science that the public doesn’t often see. Images in this category can include cells, tissues, high resolution scans, images of devices and equipment or anything else related to your research that deserves a closer look 

* Science as Art: Many of our researchers have expressed interest in art and photography outside of their scientific roles, making the Science As Art category a perfect opportunity to blend the two worlds. This category celebrates creativity, so almost anything goes as long as it is the original work of a Mass General community member! 

Images we have previously received that would fit into this category include, drawings, paintings, digital illustrations, photography or mixed medium pieces.

* Mixed Media: This category is dedicated to content other than just images, such as short videos (<1 min), poetry, cartoons, comics, and artwork. For submissions in this category, please submit a video or an image file to the submissions folder. This can include images of the mixed media for items such as paintings.

* Across the Bridge from MGH: What would we do without our research collaborators? This new category celebrates the partnership and teamwork with our collaborators across the bridge and city from MGH. In order to participate in this category, the image submitted must depict a project/idea that directly involved collaboration with MGH investigators/research groups. *please note collaborators and external partners may only submit images to this category

To submit an image entry to our Image Awards, please fill out the form linked above. Images without a corresponding form will NOT be considered. 

***IF YOU ARE A COLLABORATOR/NON-MGH INDIVIDUAL: Please use the form located under the "Across the Bridge" category description.

All photos should be submitted as a high-quality JPEG or TIF file at a minimum of 300 dpi. To check the quality of the image, right click on the image and check the properties. The DPI will be listed in the details. We reserve the right to exclude entries based on image quality. 

Participants can submit a maximum of three images, and a complete form must be submitted with each image/entry.

*September 1: We start accepting image entries 
*October 31: Submissions are due by midnight 
*Nov 6 – Nov 17: Public voting for the People’s Choice Award will take place in our site 
*Dec (TBD) – Finalists for every category will be announced 
*January (TBD) - Gala to celebrate the science and the winners of the 2023 Image Awards 

In order to be considered for use in public-facing materials (e.g. an ad in Proto magazine), images must be copyright free. If the image has been used by a journal or other entity, it is reserved for internal use only (internal display in research spaces). 

By entering the Mass General Research Institute Image Awards, you retain the rights to your works while granting Massachusetts General Hospital and its affiliates the unrestricted, royalty-free, perpetual right to use, reproduce, communicate, modify and display the works (in whole or in part) for any purpose without any fee or other form of compensation, and without further notification or permission.

For every category (except for the People’s Choice Award) winners will be chosen by a panel of MGRI staff, including members of the communications team and research leadership.  

Winning images will be displayed in the Russell Museum and all winners will be invited to the 2023 Image Awards Gala (date and details to be confirmed). 
 
Additionally, the MGRI will use the images throughout social media and other promotional materials such as books, flyers, etc. 

We’ve got you covered! Before you submit your images, check out our previous Image Awards submissions in order to get that inspiration going.  

Please contact us at researchcommunications@mgh.harvard.edu for further questions or visit the submission site to learn more. Good luck!