Helping people understand why microbes matter can start with something as simple as an activity, a piece of art, or a conversation. On 17 September 2026, International Microorganism Day (IMD) turns those ideas into a global celebration.
This year, taking part in IMD is easier than ever. The redesigned International Microorganism Day website is now live, with updated resources, refreshed mascots, inspiration from previous events, and a new submission portal through myFEMS.
Whether you are planning a public lecture, classroom activity, workshop, exhibition, online campaign, lab demonstration, community event, or creative outreach activity, IMD offers a platform to share microbiology with new audiences.
Submit your IMD 2026 event proposal
International Microorganism Day invites people and organisations to create activities that raise awareness of microorganisms and their role in life on Earth. Events can be organised by universities, schools, research groups, museums, laboratories, community groups, science communicators, or anyone with an interest in making microbiology more visible and accessible.
For IMD 2026, event proposals are submitted through the new online portal in myFEMS and are open until 31 August 2026. Approved events will be promoted through IMD online channels in the lead-up to 17 September, with the final approved event posts shared on 1 September. Organisers can also access support, including promotional materials, educational resources, website features, and global recognition.
Get ready for the Microbe Art Contest
The much-loved Microbe Art Contest will also return for IMD 2026, inviting participants to celebrate microbiology through creative work. From agar art and illustration to photography, cartoons, writing, video, animation, and physical pieces, the contest gives artists, scientists, students, educators, and microbiology enthusiasts a creative way to explore the microbial world. Entries can be submitted until 10 September 2026.
Winners will be announced throughout International Microorganism Day on 17 September 2026 via the IMD website and social media channels. Winning artworks will be showcased on the IMD website and may be used in promotional materials for the following year. FEMS will be involved in the selection process, and winners will be recognised in the FEMS monthly newsletter.
IMD and the FEMS community
International Microorganism Day has been led by the Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS) since 2020. It was originally launched in 2017 by the Portuguese Society of Microbiology, a FEMS Member Society, and has since grown into an international initiative that brings microbiology to communities around the world.
This history reflects the role FEMS plays across the microbiology community. Through its Member Societies, events, grants, journals, networks, and outreach activities, FEMS supports microbiologists in sharing knowledge, creating opportunities, and strengthening connections across the field. IMD brings that spirit of possibility to life by helping more people discover the value of microbiology.
Take part in IMD 2026
Visit the redesigned International Microorganism Day website to find inspiration from previous events, meet the refreshed mascots, and submit your IMD 2026 event proposal through myFEMS.
Be part of International Microorganism Day on 17 September 2026 and help more people, in more places, discover why microbes matter.