Results announcedNational Audubon Society

Audubon Photography Awards 2026

Audubon's annual awards are the most prominent bird-focused photography competition in North America, with a Grand Prize of US$5,000 plus a voyage to Antarctica via HX Expeditions. The 2026 rules ban AI-generated images and videos outright while permitting normal processing of the original file — a clear, narrow boundary that avoids the ambiguity seen at larger mixed-genre contests. Entries are limited to residents of the US, Canada, Chile, and Colombia. The free Youth division covers ages 13–17.

AI banned
Deadline
March 4, 2026
Entry fee
US$15 per image or video; free for Youth division (ages 13–17)
Results
September 21, 2026
Official siteRead full rules

Authenticity policy

AI policy

AI-generated images are not eligible, and AI-generated videos are not eligible. However, normal processing of the original file is acceptable.

RAW files

Not specified

Editing rules

Judges score on Technical Quality (33%), Originality (33%), and Artistic Merit (34%). 'Normal processing of the original file' is permitted; AI-generated content is not.

Verified on June 8, 2026

Frequently asked questions

Does Audubon Photography Awards 2026 allow AI-generated images?
No. Audubon Photography Awards 2026 does not permit AI-generated images in its competition entries.
When is the Audubon Photography Awards 2026 entry deadline?
Entries for Audubon Photography Awards 2026 close on March 4, 2026.
How much does it cost to enter Audubon Photography Awards 2026?
US$15 per image or video; free for Youth division (ages 13–17)
When are the Audubon Photography Awards 2026 results announced?
Audubon Photography Awards 2026 announces its results on September 21, 2026.

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