Winners of the 2026 World Laureates Prize announced in Shanghai: a record 11 scientists and a new category for young researchers
Science knows no borders, and recognition of achievement is not only a tribute but also an impulse for future discoveries. When researchers from different countries and generations receive an award, it reminds us that human progress is built on a shared foundation of knowledge and cooperation.
On Thursday, the winners of the 2026 World Laureates Prize (WLF Prize) were announced in Shanghai. A total of 11 scientists were awarded, a record number in the prize's history following the introduction of a new category. The WLA Prize, established in 2021, is an international scientific award presented to outstanding individuals in computer science, mathematics, biological sciences or medicine.
Ingrid Daubechies of Duke University received the 2026 WLF Prize in computer science or mathematics for her significant contributions to applied harmonic analysis, wavelet theory and image compression, as well as her leadership in the international mathematical community. Yuan Junying of the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Wang Xiaodong and Shao Feng of the National Institute of Biological Sciences, and Vishva Dixit of Genentech Inc. received the 2026 WLF Prize in biological sciences or medicine. They shared the award for elucidating the molecular pathways of various forms of programmed cell death and analysing how these pathways regulate diverse physiological functions and disease pathogenesis. Shao became the first Chinese citizen to receive this award.
This year, a new category was introduced. Six young scientists under the age of 40 received the WLF Prize for Young Scientists. The winners are: Raphaël Juliette Clément of the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research for advances in solid-state systems for electrochemical energy storage and conversion; Chen Peining of Fudan University for contributions to the development of flexible electronic materials and devices; Ding Shixian of Tsinghua University for experimental achievements in precision nuclear quantum measurements; Wu Jiajun of Stanford University for work on embodied artificial intelligence and world models; Xie Weidi of Shanghai Jiao Tong University for applying AI in the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases; and Zhuang Ziquan of Johns Hopkins University for fundamental contributions to K-stability and birational geometry.
This year's award, in addition to highlighting cutting-edge advances in fundamental science, also actively focused on the development of breakthrough technologies and the application of innovative achievements. "The WLF Prize also encourages important contributions to theory. Many of today's applications may be based on mathematics developed decades or even a century ago. Therefore, it is necessary to increase investment in this area, which will provide more important guarantees for the development of our large-scale models in industrial applications, security and other aspects," said Hua Xiansheng, executive dean of the Institute of Engineering Intelligence at Tongji University.
The 2026 prize was organised by WLF with exclusive funding from Hongshan and support from the Shanghai Lingang Science and Technology Innovation and Development Foundation. The award ceremony will be held as part of the World Laureates Forum, which will take place from October 30 to November 1 in Shanghai.
