I. Introduction

1. The THROUGH SOUTHERN LENSES: SCIENCES IN FOCUS Award is organized and promoted by the Conrado Wessel Foundation (Fundação Conrado Wessel, FCW) and The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS).

2. The Photo Essay Award, jointly organized by FCW and TWAS, is dedicated to Science, understood in its broadest sense, encompassing all fields of scientific knowledge, including both Natural and Human Sciences.

II. Object

1. This international award focuses on the Photo Essay (photographic narrative) and is open to photographers from all areas of photography. The submitted Photo Essay must have been produced within the last five (5) years, with proof of its production date.

2. The Photo Essay must consist of ten (10) photographs centered around a single theme. The portfolio must be submitted digitally for evaluation via the official website: www.southernlenses.org.

3. Each participant may submit only one Photo Essay, based on the theme: “Science, Technology, and Innovation for Sustainable Development Goals.”

4. The winning Photo Essay will be announced on XXXXX.

5. The award ceremony will take place at XXXXXX.

III.  Judging Criteria

1. Photo Essays will be evaluated based on their technical aspects, aesthetic quality, composition, form, originality, cultural relevance, overall coherence (editing and narrative), and their ability to communicate the theme without textual support.

2. The winning Photo Essay will be selected by a Jury composed of six (6) experts, appointed by the FCW and TWAS Management Committee.

3. Each Management Committee (FCW and TWAS) will nominate three (3) experts: one (1) scientist and two (2) photographers/researchers to form the Awards Jury.

4. The Jury’s decision is final and irrevocable, with no possibility of appeal by participants.

IV. Awards

1. The best-selected Photo Essay will be awarded a prize of US$ 20,000.00 (twenty thousand dollars).

2. In the case of a collective authorship (more than one author), the prize will be awarded to a designated representative of the group.

V. Rules of Participation

1. Each Photo Essay must consist of ten (10) photographs.

2. The registered photographer will be considered the sole responsible party for the submitted Photo Essay. FCW and TWAS reserve the right to request a formal declaration from finalist photographers to confirm authorship.

3. Photo Essays generated using Artificial Intelligence tools—such as ChatGPT, Midjourney, DALL·E, DreamStudio, DeepSeek, and similar—will not be accepted.

4. Participants who fail to comply with these rules will be automatically disqualified.

VI. Enrollment

1. Applications can be submitted between April 1st and August 10th, 2025 via the website www.southernlenses.org.

2. Registration is free.

VII. Submission of entries and photographs

1. The registration form and photographs must be sent to www.southernlenses.org.

2. Incorrect and/or incomplete registration will result in the photographer being disqualified.

VIII. About the responsibility of the awarded photographer

1. The awarded photographer expressly authorizes FCW and TWAS to use their name and display the photographs from the awarded Photo Essay in their official communications, with proper credit.

2. FCW and TWAS are exempt from any liability or claims that may arise from the awarded photographer.

3. The awarded photographer must submit the high-definition digital files, properly identified, to FCW (contato@fcw.org.br) within five (5) business days after the announcement of the results. The final images must have a resolution of 300 DPI for printing and exhibition at the 17th TWAS General Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

4. The awarded photographer will be solely responsible for any legal or extrajudicial claims that may arise from the exposure, use, or publication of their photographs for promotional purposes.

4. The awarded photographer will be responsible for any judicial or extrajudicial demand that may arise due to possible exposure or the use/publication of his photographs in publicizing the results.

5. If requested, the awarded photographer agrees to be photographed at a time and location determined by FCW and TWAS.

6. By submitting the registration form, the photographer guarantees the originality and authenticity of the photographs. They also declare that there are no restrictions or legal impediments to the exhibition and dissemination of their work in print and/or digital media.

IX. About the responsibility of FCW and TWAS – organizers of the Award

1. FCW and TWAS will not be responsible for any issues related to the submission, loss, or misplacement of photographs during the application process.

2. The awarded Photo Essay may be reproduced in enlarged or reduced formats, as necessary, to suit the needs of the award event.

3. Photo Essays will be published in the editing sequence suggested by the author or, if necessary, in an order determined by the Selected Jury, which may also recommend modifications to the sequencing or editing of the essays.

X. Result

1. On XXXXX, FCW and TWAS will announce the name of the awarded photographer.

2. The name of the awarded photographer and their respective Photo Essay will be published on social media and on the official website: www.southernlenses.org.

XI. Final provisions

1. Submission of the registration form implies full acceptance of all the conditions outlined in these Regulations by the registrant/photographer.

2. Failure to comply with any clause of these Regulations will result in the disqualification of the photographer and their Photo Essay.

3. Any questions regarding this award can be addressed to contato@fcw.org.br.