“Pictures of the Year International began as a photographic contest in 1944 by Cliff Edom at the Missouri School of Journalism in Columbia, Missouri. … POY is an educational program. Connecting students and the public with the curated work in POY shows the value of photojournalism and allows people to interpret the news and historic events through an empathetic lens.”

POY comprises Pictures of the Year International (January 18, 2026, deadline),  CPOY (College Photographer of the Year; September 21, 2026, deadline), POY Latam (Latin America; biannual, next in 2027) and POY Asia.

POY International has 83 categories, including Science & Natural History, Science & Natural History Picture Story and Environmental Vision Award, some with cash prizes.