The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine announced 24 science communication awards on October 26, recognizing journalists, researchers and communicators for work explaining science to the public.
The Eric and Wendy Schmidt awards distribute $640,000 across eight categories. Each category has a $40,000 top prize and two $20,000 awards. The program is run with Schmidt Sciences.
Top-prize recipients include environmental journalist Amy Martin; New York Times journalist Aatish Bhatia; Princeton researcher Shane Campbell-Staton, whose recognized work includes PBS’s Human Footprint; and Joe Hanson, creator of Be Smart at PBS Digital Studios.
The selection committee considered more than 750 entries covering work published or aired in 2025. The 2026 announcement therefore recognizes previously released communication, rather than announcing new research findings.
Nine awards went to research scientists, nine to science journalists and six to science communicators. Winners are scheduled to be honored November 17–20 in Washington, D.C.
The organizer’s announcement supplies the award totals, recipients and event plans; the recognition ceremony has not yet taken place.
Sources: National Academies — October 26 award announcement: https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/national-academies-announce-2026-winners-of-eric-and-wendy-schmidt-awards-for-excellence-in-science-communications-640-000-awarded