Geneo x BCS: Biotech Writing Challenge 2025

The Geneo x BCS: Biotech Writing Challenge 2025 is now open for submissions! This exciting opportunity is open to all Singapore residents aged 21 and above. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Geneo (Singapore Science Park) for their generous sponsorship and support of this program.
Why join this writing challenge?
This competition offers participants a platform to:
  • Share their perspective: Express your views on the biotech or medtech landscape in Singapore and Asia, including, but not limited to innovation, ventures, challenges, and future directions.
  • Showcase their writing talent: Highlight your unique voice and flair for writing.
  • Expand their professional network: Engage with industry experts and gain valuable insights.
Prizes:
  • 1st prize: SGD1000
  • 2nd prize: SGD500
  • 3rd prize: SGD300
The top 3 winners will be honored at an award ceremony with cash prizes and their articles will be featured on the Biotech Connection Singapore (BCS) website, LinkedIn page, and newsletter—enhancing visibility and recognition. All participants will be invited to a networking event with the judges that offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect and gain valuable insights into the biotech, science and medical communications fields.
Event schedule and format*:
*subject to change
Competition Theme
Participants are encouraged to write a perspective article/opinion piece on the evolving biotech and medtech landscape in Singapore and Asia, on topics related but not limited to innovation, ventures, challenges and future directions.
Online Submission
  • Individual entries can be uploaded as a word document in https://tinyurl.com/247u6x6s. By submitting entries, participants have agreed to the Terms and Conditions of this competition.
  • The deadline for submission is 31st Mar 2025, 11:59 pm Singapore Time.
  • No late submissions will be entertained. If you encounter technical issues, please email us directly at communications@biotechconnection-sg.org.
       Entries should be:
      • Submitted in English only.
      • Non-fiction.
      • Within 1500 words in length.
      • Typewritten, with the page numbering.
      • Include title and word count.
      • Written specifically for this competition. Only original, unpublished and non-AI generated work will be accepted.
      • Written by a single author and not a collaborative effort.
      • Each author may only submit one entry.
      • Submitted in MS Word format.
        Selection Criteria
        The judges will assess entries based on the following:
        • Technical accuracy
        • Accessibility
        • Impact
        • Relevance to the theme
        • Reader engagement

        Judges' Profiles

        We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the judges for extending their time and expertise to this program.
        Dr. Daphne Ng Hui Ping, Science Communication Lead, Nanyang Technological University  
        Dr Daphne Ng swapped her pipette for the pen when she realised the importance of science communication and scientific literacy. Wanting to do more to make science more accessible to the world outside the laboratory, she turned her science writing hobby into a career. Since then, Daphne’s stories have appeared in popular science publications and media outlets. Now, Daphne writes about the exciting research at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, something that she looks forward to doing every day.
        Ms Patricia Lee, Communications Lead, ClavystBio
        Patricia is Communications Lead at ClavystBio. She believes in broadening people’s perspectives and bridging differences through stories. She is excited about ClavystBio’s mission to drive health impact, and inspiring ever-expanding networks and communities with new ideas and knowledge.
        Patricia began her career as a journalist, working for the Daily Telegraph magazine, Financial Times How to Spend It, and SPH magazines. Prior to joining ClavystBio, she oversaw content development at National Gallery Singapore, and taught journalism at LASALLE College of the Arts and Singapore Polytechnic. She has contributed to titles including T: The New York Times Style Magazine, Monocle, and The Straits Times.
        Patricia holds an LLB (Hons) from the London School of Economics and Political Science, UK.
        Ms Crystal Ho, Scientific Communications Senior Manager, Hummingbird Bioscience  
        Crystal Ho currently manages communications at Hummingbird Bioscience, a biotech company focused on advancing novel therapies. Her work has earned her the recognition ‘Outstanding Young PR Professional, Special Mention’ from the Institute of Public Relations of Singapore in 2023. Before joining Hummingbird Bioscience, Crystal worked with pharma and medtech clients at SPAG FINN Partners, a healthcare communications agency, and also covered sustainability topics for Eco-Business’ news platform. Crystal earned a BSc in Environmental Biology followed by a MSc in Science Communication.

         

        Any changes to the above details will be updated on this webpage and communicated via email. If you have any questions, please send them to communications@biotechconnection-sg.org. We look forward to your submissions and can’t wait to see your creative ideas and insights! This is your chance to have your voice heard in the biotech and medtech communities. Start writing today!

        Organised by:

        Terms and Conditions

        1. The Geneo x BCS: Biotech Writing Challenge 2025 (“Competition”) is open to people aged 21 and over (“Entrant”).
        2. The Competition is not open to the current executive committee of Biotech Connection Singapore.
        3. Entries on behalf of another person will not be accepted and joint submissions are not allowed.
        4. Entrants must reside and/or work in Singapore. Entrants who cannot produce reasonable evidence of residence or work in Singapore will be disqualified.
        5. No responsibility is taken for entries that are lost, delayed, misdirected or incomplete or cannot be delivered or entered for any technical or other reason.
        6. Each prize is non-exchangeable, non-transferable, and where applicable, not redeemable for cash or other prizes.
        7. Biotech Connection Singapore (the “Organizer”) accept no responsibility for any costs associated with participating in or accepting the Competition, including, without limitation, personal expenses, insurance, travel and transfers.
        8. The Organizer accept no responsibility and disclaims any liability for any damage, loss, injury or death incurred or suffered as a result of participating in or accepting the Competition.
        9. Winners will be notified by e-mail. In the event the winners cannot be contacted within seven (7) days of the first notification attempt, the prize may be forfeited, and no compensation will be given.
        10. The Competition begins at 12:00:01 am Singapore Time on 14 January 2025 and ends at 11:59:59 pm Singapore Time on 31 Mar 2025.
        11. The judges’ decision will be final, and no correspondence will be entered into. The Organizers reserve the right not to award a Competition if the Entries do not meet the requirements.
        12. By entering, each Entrant warrants and represents the following with respect to their Entry:
        — 12.1 The Entry is 100% original and Entrant is the sole and exclusive owner of the material;
        — 12.2 The Entry will not infringe on or conflict with the copyright, trademark, trade secret or any other personal or proprietary right of any other party;
        — 12.3 The Entrant shall be liable and provide compensation in the event of any action, claim or proceedings brought against the Organizers by a third party as a result of infringement of existing copyright caused by the Entrant in participation to the competition.
        — 12.4 Entry into the competition constitutes the Entrant’s irrevocable permission, at no additional compensation or consideration, for the Organizers or their affiliates to reproduce the Entrant’s entry in scientific or promotional communications including, but not limited to, Biotech Connection Singapore.
        1. This competition is being run by Biotech Connection Singapore, A*StartCentral, Ayer Rajah Crescent, #05-03 Block 79, 139955.
        2. The Organizers reserve the right to amend the rules of the Competition at any time without prior notice.
        3. The Competition will be governed by the laws of the Republic of Singapore.
        4. Entry into the Competition is acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.