Science Writing Prize frequently asked questions

• About the Prize
• Eligibility
• About your entry

About the Prize

What are the judges looking for?
An 800-word article that addresses any area of science and would be suitable for publication in print or online (on guardian.co.uk) in the 'Guardian' or the 'Observer'.

The judges are looking for originality, bright ideas and a clear writing style. Your article should show a passion for science and encourage the general public to consider, question and debate the key issues in science and society.

Above all, write simple prose. Don't use baroque phrases, and avoid over-embroidering your story with unnecessary feats of linguistic acrobatics. It's much more important to find a good story to write about than to come up with flowery turns of phrase or stunning metaphors.

Good writing is clear, pithy and accessible. Good writers want to impress readers with the tales they tell; they are not interested in making themselves sound clever with the words they use.

Make sure your story has a beginning, a middle and an end. Make sure there is something in there, however small, that gives your reader an 'oh, wow' moment or an immediate desire to tell someone else about what they've just read. Think about what makes you excited or intrigued when you read something, and try to instil something of that feeling in your work too.

Please resist the temptation to simply write about your day at work. Think carefully why anyone would want to read the story you're telling.

In most cases, describing some basic science or telling everyone why you think your lab work is important is not going to be interesting enough to others - unless, of course, you've managed to cure cancer or you've flown the space shuttle. But, even then, please show us, in a story, how your work is interesting. Don't just describe it and tell us it's interesting.

Please note that your piece has to be something that 'G2', the 'Observer' or guardian.co.uk would be willing to publish in autumn 2013. You might write a brilliant news report based on a recent research paper, but the editors (and therefore judges) might not consider it suitable for publication several months after the event, so keep timeliness in mind when you’re writing your piece.

You can see examples of last year's shortlisted articles on our blog.

What areas of science can I write about?
You are welcome to write about any area that interests you.

Possible ideas include medicine, neurology, science education, biomedical science, ageing, nutrition, physics, engineering, chemistry, biology, the body, sports sciences, space, genetics, climate change, evolution, energy, infectious diseases, medical humanities, medical history and ethics. You are free to write about these or any other areas of science.

What is the word limit?
800 words maximum.

How many entries can I submit?
One per person.

What's the deadline?
The deadline for entries is 23.59 on 28 April 2013.

Will I get a receipt of entry?
You will receive an automatic email confirming that your entry has been received. Thereafter, only shortlisted entrants will be contacted.

Eligibility

Do I have to be a UK resident to enter?
The competition is open to residents of the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland (RoI), the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. If you are based in the UK, the RoI, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man you can enter.

I am a temporary student in the UK. Am I eligible?
Yes. By UK/RoI/Channel Islands/Isle of Man resident, we mean anyone currently based in these countries rather than just visiting.

You say the competition is open only to 'non-published' writers. What do you mean by this?
By 'published', we are referring to professional journalists and authors who write for money as their primary occupation. This competition is not intended for professional authors and/or writers. As long as your main source of income is not from writing, you are eligible to enter.

I've been paid for a few articles in the past. Does this mean I can't enter?
As long as your main source of income is not from science writing, you are eligible to enter. If you have written a few articles here and there, but this is not your main source of income, you are still eligible to enter; however, please bear in mind that the judges will particularly be looking for new talent.

I have a blog on a major science blog network. Can I enter?
As long as your main source of income is not from science writing, and you are based in the UK, the RoI, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man you are eligible to enter. However, please remember that the judges will be specifically looking for new talent or lesser-heard voices.

I already have a science blog that is read widely. Can I enter?
As long as you are not a professional author or writer, and you are based in the UK, RoI, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man you are eligible to enter. However, please remember that the judges will be specifically looking for new talent or lesser-heard voices.

I work at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, can I enter?
Unfortunately not - students on placement at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute are not eligible to enter the competition.

Which category should I enter?
If you are a professional scientist of postgraduate level and above (i.e. you have a PhD in a scientific subject), please enter the 'professional scientist' category. Anyone else, including undergraduate students (both science and non-science) and student journalists, should enter the 'non-professional interest in science' category.

What do you mean by 'scientist'?
By 'scientist', we mean anyone with relevant postgraduate qualifications (i.e. PhD upwards) who would refer to themselves using the term. If you identify yourself as a scientist as your occupation, please enter the 'professional scientist' category.

I am a scientist, but am currently between funding/institutions. Can I still enter?
Yes. A lack of a current position of employment or funding does not preclude entry. For the purposes of this competition, we would still consider you a 'professional scientist'.

I have a PhD. Which category should I enter?
If you have a PhD in a scientific subject, please enter the 'professional scientist' category, even if you are not currently working in academia or industry.

I am currently doing a PhD. Which category should I enter?
Current PhD students should enter the 'professional scientist' category.

I left laboratory science after my PhD or postdoc and am now in a different line of work. Which category should I enter?
If you have a PhD in a scientific subject, please enter the 'professional scientist' category.

I have a PhD but am studying for a science communication or journalism degree. Which category should I enter?
If you have a PhD in a scientific subject, please enter the 'professional scientist' category.

I am currently studying for a Master's degree. Which category should I enter?
Please enter the 'non-professional' category. If you have finished your MSc or MA and this is your highest qualification, please enter the 'non-professional' category.

Can A-level students enter?
Yes, A-level students are welcome to enter in the 'non-professional' category.

I lead a research group. Should I encourage my research team to enter?
Yes. And why not enter yourself, too?

About your entry

Should my article be referenced?
You're not writing a scientific paper, so we don't need scores of footnotes on your article. Your article should make sense as a standalone piece and not require readers to go and read background information. If you do refer to or quote from other people's work, that's fine, but be transparent about it within the article itself. (Please also provide a link to your source, so we can verify the information if we need to.)

Do not try to pass someone else's work off as your own or forget to give due acknowledgement. Plagiarists will not win prizes!

Can I interview someone for my article?
The best articles contain quotes from others and are not simply a rehash of what you have read or seen elsewhere. Quotes can provide originality and piquancy to your writing. There is no requirement to include quotes, however.

Who owns the copyright for my article?
By submitting an entry to the competition, you are agreeing to cede copyright to the Wellcome Trust and Guardian News and Media Limited. For more details, see point 22 in the terms and conditions.

If I am shortlisted, will you pay for my travel to London and/or accommodation for the Awards ceremony?
Unfortunately, we are unable to finance any travel or accommodation costs for shortlisted writers.

Will I be penalised if my entry does not contain any web extras?
Not at all. If you want to use web tools to help tell the story in an innovative way, please go ahead - we don't want to discourage anyone who has interesting digital ideas. But that shouldn't prevent anyone else from entering 800 words of plain and simple text. Each entry will be judged from the same viewpoint: how well does it tell the story?

Do you have any advice for entrants?
Read our ‘How I write about science’ series and the Guardian's ‘Secrets of good science writing’ series.

Are headlines and footnotes included in the final word count?
No, although if you include footnotes, please do so within reason. Remember, you're not writing a scientific paper.

My entry is a few words over the limit. Can I get away with this?
The word limit is 800 words. Please do not exceed this by more than a few extra words.

If you have other questions not answered here, please email swp@wellcome.ac.uk.