On September 8, MIT Technology Review will announce its 2026 list of Innovators Under 35, honoring 35 young innovators from around the world who are conducting groundbreaking scientific research and developing smart technology solutions to some of society’s most urgent challenges.
By identifying the world’s leading young innovators and exploring the problems they are working to solve, we give readers a glimpse into the scientific and technological progress they can expect in the years ahead. This annual process also helps our newsroom discover emerging talent and connect with the researchers shaping the fields we cover.
The editor of MIT Technology Review published the first Innovators Under 35 list in 1999. Since then, it has become a celebrated annual tradition, alongside the publication’s lists of 10 Breakthrough Technologies, 10 Climate Change Technology Companies to Watch, and—new this year—10 Things That Matter Now in AI.
Past honorees have helped shape the technology industry and our broader culture. Lisa Su, featured in 2002, led an extraordinary turnaround at AMD, helping transform the company into one of the world’s leading chipmakers. Daniel Ek, recognized in 2012, co-founded Spotify, which we described at the time as a “jukebox on the cloud.” Subscribers can explore all past Innovators Under 35 winners in our database.
Selecting the 2026 Innovators Under 35 was a month-long process. This year, we received 550 nominations from MIT Technology Review staff members and the public. From those submissions, our editors selected 110 semifinalists. We looked for candidates whose work addresses major challenges, tackles important scientific questions, and has already demonstrated meaningful progress.
Each semifinalist completed an in-depth application to help our editors and judges learn more about their work. Applicants submitted letters of recommendation, videos, and resumes. A panel of 44 expert reviewers then evaluated the applications. Several judges are former Innovators Under 35 honorees, while many return each year to contribute their time, expertise, and insight to the selection process.
After reviewing the judges’ scores and comments, our editors selected 35 winners. The 2026 Innovators Under 35 are working across four categories: biotechnology, artificial intelligence, computing and robotics, and climate and energy.
“These innovators represent some of the best aspects of science and technology research, advancing bold ideas to improve the future for all people,” says Costa Samaras, a 2026 judge and director of Carnegie Mellon University’s Scott Institute for Energy Innovation.
The 2026 Innovators Under 35 list will be available to MIT Technology Review subscribers when the package is published online. You can subscribe now to access the list and the full collection of stories. The article will also appear in the September/October issue, available on newsstands worldwide beginning August 31.
Do you know someone who deserves to be named to next year’s list? Nominations for the 2027 Innovators Under 35 competition are expected to open in early December. Check back for updates or sign up for our daily newsletter, “The Download,” to stay informed.
Source: www.technologyreview.com