Less than three weeks remain for acceptance of entries to the annual Royal Irish Academy/Irish Times biochemistry science-writing competition, which carries a prize fund of £1,100. Entrants are asked to write a newspaper article of 1,500 words, in non-technical language and explaining any new topic in biochemistry or molecular biology.
The competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students in third-level institutions in the Republic and Northern Ireland. Submissions should be typed, double-spaced on A4 paper and entrants are encouraged to use photographs, graphics or tables. While the articles may focus on international developments, entrants should make reference to related research being conducted in Ireland and to commercial sponsorship for the work. The articles should be relevant to general readers.
Yamanouchi Ireland Co Ltd has sponsored the two prizes, £800 for the winner in addition to a John Coen bronze sculpture, and £300 for the runner-up. The winning entry will be published in The Irish Times.
The closing date for entries is Monday, March 26th. Five copies of each article should be submitted to the National Committee for Biochemistry, Royal Irish Academy, Academy House, 19 Dawson Street, Dublin 2, (01) 676 2570. The committee can forward further details of the competition, information which is also available at http://www.ria.ie