Photo contests requiring RAW files

Competitions where finalists or shortlist entrants must submit RAW files for authenticity verification.

27 photo contests in our index require the original capture file. Pulitzer Prize (Photography Categories) 2026 and World Press Photo Contest 2026 require the RAW file from every entrant. Natural Landscape Photography Awards 2026 (NLPA), World Photographic Cup 2026, Underwater Photographer of the Year 2026 (UPY), GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026, and GDT Naturfotograf des Jahres 2026 require it from everyone who reaches the shortlist. The remaining 20 contests ask finalists for the RAW on request before a prize is confirmed: ConservationMag Photography Awards 2026, Wiki Loves Monuments 2026, Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) 2026, International Photography Awards (IPA) 2026, Drone Photo Awards 2026, Hamdan International Photography Award (HIPA) 2026 - Family, 1839 Awards 2026, Africa Geographic Photographer of the Year 2026, Nature Photographer of the Year 2026 (NPOTY), Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition 2026, National Wildlife Federation 55th Annual Photo Contest 2026, NPPA Best of Photojournalism 2026, FEP Awards 2026 - European Professional Photographer of the Year, Fine Art Photography Awards (FAPA) 2025-2026, International Garden Photographer of the Year 19 (IGPOTY 2026), Siena International Photo Awards (SIPA) 2026, Pictures of the Year International (POYi) 83, World Food Photography Awards 2026 (formerly Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year), Bird Photographer of the Year 2026, and Wildlife Photographer of the Year 62 (2026). Each entry below quotes the rule and links its source.