Science Gallery Network
Bringing science, art, technology and design together, Science Gallery delivers unique, transdisciplinary exhibitions, events and educational programmes that engage millions of inquiring minds every year in connective, participative, and surprising ways.
The Science Gallery Network is an international collaboration of leading universities dedicated to public engagement through interdisciplinary art-science initiatives. As a Network, we seek to change the world through youth-led perspectives, igniting conversations and collaborations, and support young people to find connection, hope and agency through curiosity and creativity. We will achieve this as a global platform with a critical mass of public venues and digital spaces engaging millions of people.
Open calls
Each open call runs for 5 - 6 weeks. Ready your submission at least a few days before the deadline to ensure you have no technical difficulties and can have any queries answered in advance. The submission form closes automatically on the last day, and late submissions will not be accepted.
Most open C lls are run by individual locations in the Network (Atlanta, Bengaluru, Berlin, Dublin, London, Melbourne and Monterrey). Be sure to reach out directly to the correct location that has launched the call for any queries about their process. If the call is run by multiple locations simultaneously, a specific contact will be provided on the call page. Contact information for questions can always be found on an individual Open Call page. Review process dates are clearly published, and results are communicated shortly thereafter.
Technical difficulties with the application forms should be addressed to Submittable directly.
Are you a budding science-fiction writer? Quantum ideas open up boundless opportunities for storytelling. From branching realities to quantum technology gone wrong, create your own quantum universe and have the chance to win a trophy from the prestigious Arthur C. Clark award.
To enter, submit an original work of micro-fiction of 300-500 words in length. The competition will be overseen by judges nominated by Science Gallery London and the Arthur C. Clarke Award. The winner will be announced at a ‘Late’ event at Science Gallery London on 30 January 2026, where they will have the chance to read their story to a live audience.
Competition Guidelines
Word Limit: 300-500 words. Work must be original to the author and not have been previously published elsewhere.
Competition opens: Monday 22nd September
Closing date for submission: Sunday 16th November
Number of entries: Maximum of one entry per person
Genre: Science Fiction.
Prize: trophy
Eligibility:
- The competition is open to entries from people aged 16+ from anywhere in the world. Note that Science Gallery London cannot support travel costs to attend the prize giving.
- The prize is open to both published and unpublished writers at any stage of their education or career.
- The story must be the entrant’s own creation and not infringe upon the right or copyright of any person or entity.
- Staff at Science Gallery London and the Science Gallery international network are ineligible to enter.
Language: English
Rights: First world digital rights (text and audio), first print rights, non-exclusive anthology rights (for possible fanzine publication).
AI: We will not consider any submissions written, developed, translated or otherwise developed using AI tools such as ChatGPT. Entrants will be asked to confirm work is original to them on submitting.
Submissions:
- You will be asked to submit your story in our Submittable platform, alongside contact information. This should include the story and title but no name or other personal details. These should be entered into the submission portal and will be tagged to your story for reference.
- By entering the competition, you agree to be bound by its terms and conditions.
Judging: the competition will be overseen by judges nominated by Science Gallery London and the Arthur C. Clarke Award.
Writing prompts:
How do you define Science Fiction? The Clarke Award does not adhere to one single definition of Science Fiction, and neither should you. However, we will be looking for originality in the entries, so recommend avoiding tropes that are widely recognised in popular culture. Your word count is limited, so don’t waste words on someone else’s idea!
Does quantum need to feature in the story? Yes, but we are open to interpretations and indirect references. We advise looking for an original angle! There’s more to quantum than the multiverse, for example King's researchers are deploying quantum technology in healthcare, life sciences, climate forecasting, drug discovery, autonomous vehicles, molecular integration, and the development of new materials. As Sir Arthur once said, "The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible."
How can I fit a story into such a short word count?
- Micro or Flash fiction is a very popular format, especially online, and if you haven’t written in that mode yourself, we recommend starting with some research.
- All writing rules can be broken (at the right time) but re recommend thinking about avoiding long paragraphs and non-standard formatting (imagine how the story works on your phone or read out loud), thinking about style, tone of voice, and a sense of completeness for the reader even if short rather than a scene from a larger story.
- Keep it simple and put the reader first. This is the time to try something original and fun, not to squeeze the plot of your epic space opera trilogy into a 300 word synopsis or info-dump. The reader doesn’t need to know everything but take some time to think through whether the story can work for them with just what’s on the page, not what’s also in your head.
- You can set your story anywhere and when you like, but when every single word counts, remember a setting that readers might have some familiarity with or understanding of already will help them fill the gaps you leave with their imagination rather than scratching their heads.