The 2^nd International Conference on Novel Photorefineries for Resource Recovery will grant several awards to conference participants.

Awards will be presented for two distinct categories: PhD Students and Early Career Investigators (ECI). An ECI is defined as a researcher whose career spans less than 8 years from the date of their PhD or doctorate degree.

For each of these two categories, the following recognitions will be awarded:

• The Best Poster Award
• The Best Oral Presentation Award

VIDEO COMPETITION
MICROBIAL SUPERSTARS:
Purple Bacteria, Cyanobacteria & Microalgae Lighting the Path to Sustainability

MICROBIAL SUPERSTARS is an online video competition dedicated to PhD students and Early Career Investigators (ECIs) working in the fields of purple bacteria, cyanobacteria, and microalgae.
The main goal of the competition is to raise global awareness of these microorganisms and highlight their potential for diverse applications that support the zero-waste concept and sustainability. In addition, the competition aims to support young scientists by enhancing their expertise, promoting knowledge exchange, and expanding professional networks in this rapidly growing field.
This is an online video competition. Submitted videos will be showcased on the photorefineries.com website and shared across associated social media platforms. Selected videos will also be featured on the Purple Gain YouTube channel.
By submitting video materials, participants acknowledge and agree that their content may be published online and made accessible to the general public.
The winner of the competition will receive free participation and free accommodation at the 2^nd PHOTOREFINERIES Conference.
The competition is now open for video submissions.
Submission deadline: 20 April 2026
General Instructions for the Competition

• Keep it short: maximum video length is 2 minutes.
• Be clear, creative, and engaging.
• Show your own contribution (your voice, face, laboratory work, or research activity).
• AI tools may be used only as support, e.g., for improving video design or visual appeal.
• Videos primarily generated by AI, without clear personal contribution by the participant, will not be considered.
• Submit your video by 20 April 2026 to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Accepted Video Formats:
Participants may choose one or a combination of the following formats:

• Talking-Head Video: The participant speaks directly to the camera.
• Voice - Over Video: Narration combined with images, animations, lab footage, or slides. AI-generated voices and AI-generated visuals may be used as part of the montage.
• Lab/Experimental Footage with Voice – Over: Short clips showing laboratory equipment, processes, microorganisms, experiments, or research environments.
• Documentary - Style Video: A mix of narration, interviews, lab footage, photos, and on-screen text.
• Animated Video: 2D/3D animations, drawings, whiteboard-style videos, or similar formats explaining scientific concepts.
• Slideshow Video: A presentation-style video using images, graphics, charts, and text, accompanied by participant narration.
• Storytelling/Creative Video: approaches such as “A day in the life of a microorganism” or a problem - solution narrative.
• Interview Format: The participant interviews another researcher, colleague, or mentor.
• Mixed-Format Video: A combination of multiple formats listed above.

Voting Rules
The video that receives the highest number of YES votes from the Organizing and Scientific Committee will be announced as the winner and awarded:

• Free participation, and
• Free accommodation at the 2^nd PHOTOREFINERIES Conference.

Videos evaluated as being of high scientific and communication quality by the Organizing and Scientific Committee will be disseminated through Purple Gain and Purple Gain members’ social networks, with the aim of sharing scientific vision, enthusiasm, knowledge, and innovative ideas.