Does Pictures of the Year International (POYi) 84 allow AI-generated images?

No. Pictures of the Year International (POYi) 84 does not permit AI-generated images in its competition entries.

Are RAW files required to enter Pictures of the Year International (POYi) 84?

Finalists may be asked to supply their RAW files for verification.

How much does it cost to enter Pictures of the Year International (POYi) 84?

US$50 early, US$60 late in recent cycles; 84th fee not yet published

Opens soonDonald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute, University of Missouri

Pictures of the Year International (POYi) 84

POYi is the oldest sustained photojournalism competition in the United States, run out of the Reynolds Journalism Institute at the University of Missouri. The 83rd competition, covering work from 2025, closed on 11 January 2026; judging was hosted virtually from 9 February to 2 March 2026 and the winners are published on poy.org. The 84th competition is expected to open in December, following last year's calendar, with a deadline in mid January 2027. Its rules combine an absolute prohibition on AI-generated or manipulated imagery with a requirement that entries depict candid, unstaged news moments, and POY may request the original RAW or JPG files, which makes POYi a useful benchmark for photojournalism workflow expectations.

AI bannedRAW for finalists

Deadline: —
Entry fee: US$50 early, US$60 late in recent cycles; 84th fee not yet published

Official site Read full rules

Authenticity policy

AI policy

POY does not accept AI-generated or manipulated images in any category. Do not add or remove content from your images.
Source: https://poy.org/83/rules.html

RAW files

POY may request the original RAW or JPG image files, plus any images that the jury request.
Source: https://poy.org/83/rules.html

Editing rules

Entries should be accurate representations of a news scene or candid moment. Photographs cannot be set up or staged. Only portraits may be posed. Color images should replicate what the human eye experiences. The quoted rules are those of the 83rd competition; the 84th rules page has not been published yet.

Verified on November 7, 2026

Frequently asked questions

Does Pictures of the Year International (POYi) 84 allow AI-generated images?: No. Pictures of the Year International (POYi) 84 does not permit AI-generated images in its competition entries.
Are RAW files required to enter Pictures of the Year International (POYi) 84?: Finalists may be asked to supply their RAW files for verification.
How much does it cost to enter Pictures of the Year International (POYi) 84?: US$50 early, US$60 late in recent cycles; 84th fee not yet published

Do you run a photo contest? See how organizers verify entries

More Photojournalism contests

Browse all contests

View all Photojournalism contests →