Infosys Science Foundation Honors Six Emerging Researchers with 2026 Prizes
The 2026 awards prioritize early-career scholars under 40 to foster bold scientific innovation.
12026 Laureates Announced
The Infosys Science Foundation revealed its 2026 prize winners across six distinct academic disciplines on November 12. Each recipient receives a gold medal, a formal citation, and a $100,000 cash award. The selection process involved an international panel of experts evaluating 222 total applications, marking a significant increase from last year's 150 submissions.
2Focus on Youth
Since 2024, the foundation has shifted its primary focus to honor researchers under the age of 40. This strategic pivot aims to provide early recognition for exceptional talent, encouraging scholars to challenge established thinking. The youngest winner this year is 31 years old, reflecting the foundation's commitment to supporting the next generation.
3Economic and Policy Insights
Karthik Sastry, an Associate Professor at Princeton University, received the Economics prize for his research on climate change and business cycles. His work explores how societies adapt to environmental shifts through technological innovation. The jury noted that his findings hold significant potential for shaping future policy frameworks regarding global economic stability.
4Wireless Technology Advancements
Swarun Kumar of Carnegie Mellon University won the Engineering and Computer Science category for his pioneering work in wireless networks. He successfully extended low-power connectivity beyond simple data delivery to enable physical perception and action. His research combines wireless physics with novel algorithms to improve sensing, control, and automated actuation systems.
5Legal and Social Scholarship
Gautam Bhatia, an adjunct professor at Jindal Global Law School, was recognized for his contributions to Indian constitutional law. As the author of five books, he integrates macro-economics, sociology, and moral philosophy into his legal analysis. His work consistently advocates for using law as a tool to construct a fair and humane society.
6Breakthroughs in Oxygen Biology
Isha Jain from the Gladstone Institutes and the University of California, San Francisco, received the Life Sciences award. Her research revealed that tissue damage in mitochondrial diseases often stems from excess oxygen rather than energy failure. She is now translating these biochemical insights into new therapeutic strategies, including small-molecule and vitamin-based treatments.
7Mathematical Sciences Recognition
Riddhipratim Basu, an Associate Professor at the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Bengaluru, was also among the six laureates. While specific details on his winning research were not detailed in the announcement, his inclusion highlights the foundation's broad commitment to excellence across fundamental scientific fields.
8Impact of Early Recognition
By awarding these prizes, the foundation seeks to provide researchers the stability to pursue high-risk, high-reward questions. This support system is designed to inspire future innovators to make lasting contributions to their respective fields. The increased application volume suggests a growing interest in this platform for celebrating early-career academic excellence globally.