RNA Society 2026 RNA Infographic Contest

The RNA Society is accepting submissions of visually engaging, scientifically accurate educational “infographic” posters explaining RNA science and its applications to advancing our understanding of cellular function and the benefits to humanity. Our main goal is to foster global public awareness and highlight the importance of RNA and RNA-based technologies. A second goal is to showcase the amazing science communication and artistic skills of our practicing scientists and their friends and collaborators.

Submissions must be original and owned by the submitter, as the RNA Society will request a nonexclusive license for reuse and dissemination at future meetings, public outreach events, and in published materials. Contributions will be evaluated, and five cash prizes of $250.00 US will be awarded to the most creative and informative submissions. Winning creators will be acknowledged whenever and wherever their infographic is displayed, affording them recognition as public educators. Submissions from either individuals or teams are encouraged and membership in the Society, while encouraged, is not required to submit an entry.

The contest will open in early December with an initial submission deadline of January 31st, 2026. Winning submissions will be announced in early March and showcased at the Annual Meeting of the RNA Society, held May 26-31st in Montréal, Canada.

A review panel of RNA scientists, educators, and designers will evaluate submissions based on:

  • Accuracy: Submissions should strive for scientific and historical accuracy. Artistic license and aesthetic choices that summarize complex scientific findings are necessary and welcome but should not include scientific inaccuracies. Where there is scientific debate, brief reference to key conflicting data should be included (as described in the Guidelines). 

  • Visual Clarity & Design: Graphics should be clear, engaging, and focused on a single, main idea.

  • Impact and Effectiveness: The infographic should quickly and effectively communicate an RNA-related concept and be accessible to a broad range of learners with varied scientific backgrounds.

  • Inclusivity: Be sure to use words, color palettes, and fonts that will be accessible to the broadest possible audience.

  • Creativity & Innovation: Striking, unique and visually compelling designs will be scored highly.

  • Use of AI tools: The use of generative AI tools for image creation is not allowed.

Your infographic should

  • generate a clear and creative visualization of one of the many aspects of RNA science and/or its application to the improvement of human health.

  • be accessible to a broad audience with varying scientific and cultural experience.

  • be beautiful to look at (or hard to look away from)!

We encourage communicating both fundamental and novel aspects of RNA science; examples include (but are not restricted to):

  • Different kinds of RNAs and what they do in cells

  • RNA and DNA, what's the difference?

  • The role of RNA in evolution

  • Applications of RNA to agriculture

  • The chemical properties of RNA and its 3-dimensional structure

  • Toxic RNA

  • Architecture of RNA-protein complexes

  • RNA viruses and their proliferation (plants, animals, and humans)

  • Diseases that arise when RNA can’t do its normal job

  • How we study RNA (tools and methods)

  • RNA medicines – how do they work?

  • RNA and the immune system

  • History of RNA scientific discoveries

  • Biographies of RNA researchers - who are they and their foundational discoveries

Submission Guidelines

  • Format: submissions must be a single page of 8.5 x 11 inches (landscape or portrait), with color schemes accessible to individuals perceiving altered color vision, as a high-resolution pdf, png, or jpg file (minimum 300 dpi) with a maximum 5Mb file size. Note: There are online resources to simulate what your images will look like to colorblind people, see for example (among many): https://www.color-blindness.com/coblis-color-blindness-simulator/

  • Content Accuracy: key scientific claims may be supported by one or two references included in reduced font on the bottom of the image (or in a small box labeled e.g. “For further reading”). 

  • Design & Readability: Clear labeling, logical flow, and engaging visuals are essential

  • Language Versions: submissions must be in English, although additional language versions of the same infographic may also be included. The RNA Society may translate compelling designs to include additional languages for additional accessibility (post-submission).

  • Submissions must be original, owned by the submitter and not previously copyrighted.

  • Submitters must agree to permit the RNA Society a nonexclusive license to use, circulate and/or distribute their image with attribution.

  • Submissions are welcome from individuals or teams, current membership in the RNA Society is not required (although encouraged).

Upload your submission here! 

https://www2.rnasociety.org/rna-infographic-contest-submission-form/