Nominations are now open for our global 2026 Innovators Under 35 competition | MIT Technology Review

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Skip to ContentMIT Technology ReviewFeaturedTopicsNewslettersEventsAudioMIT Technology ReviewFeaturedTopicsNewslettersEventsAudioCultureNominations are now open for our global 2026 Innovators Under 35 competitionIt’s free and easy to nominate yourself or someone you know—here’s how.
By Amy Nordrumarchive pageDecember 1, 2025 We have some exciting news: Nominations are now open for MIT Technology Review’s 2026 Innovators Under 35 competition. This annual list recognizes 35 of the world’s best young scientists and inventors, and our newsroom has produced it for more than two decades.  It’s free to nominate yourself or someone you know, and it only takes a few moments. Submit your nomination before 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.  We’re looking for people who are making important scientific discoveries and applying that knowledge to build new technologies. Or those who are engineering new systems and algorithms that will aid our work or extend our abilities.  Each year, many honorees are focused on improving human health or solving major problems like climate change; others are charting the future path of artificial intelligence or developing the next generation of robots. 
The most successful candidates will have made a clear advance that is expected to have a positive impact beyond their own field. They should be the primary scientific or technical driver behind the work involved, and we like to see some signs that a candidate’s innovation is gaining real traction. You can look at last year’s list to get an idea of what we look out for. We encourage self-nominations, and if you previously nominated someone who wasn’t selected, feel free to put them forward again. Please note: To be eligible for the 2026 list, nominees must be under the age of 35 as of October 1, 2026.  Semifinalists will be notified by early March and asked to complete an application at that time. Winners are then chosen by the editorial staff of MIT Technology Review, with input from a panel of expert judges. (Here’s more info about our selection process and timelines.)  If you have any questions, please contact tr35@technologyreview.com. We look forward to reviewing your nominations. Good luck!  by Amy NordrumShareShare story on linkedinShare story on facebookShare story on emailPopularWe’re learning more about what vitamin D does to our bodiesJessica HamzelouHow AGI became the most consequential conspiracy theory of our timeWill Douglas HeavenOpenAI’s new LLM exposes the secrets of how AI really worksWill Douglas HeavenMeet the man building a starter kit for civilizationTiffany NgDeep DiveCultureMeet the man building a starter kit for civilizationMarcin Jakubowski is compiling a DIY set of society’s essential machines and making it open-source.
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MIT Technology Review’s 2026 Innovators Under 35 competition is now accepting nominations, marking an ongoing initiative established over two decades to recognize innovative young scientists and inventors. The competition, free to enter, seeks to identify individuals under 35 as of October 1, 2026, who are demonstrating significant advancements in scientific discovery and technological application. Nominations must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

The selection criteria prioritize candidates who have produced clear advancements with a projected positive impact extending beyond their primary field of expertise. Successful nominees are typically involved as the primary scientific or technical drivers of their work, and a key indicator is evidence of genuine traction and recognition for their innovation. Last year’s list serves as a valuable reference point for understanding the standards the editorial staff and expert judges will be evaluating. Self-nominations are encouraged, even for those who previously submitted a candidate who was not selected.

The selection process involves two key stages. Initially, semifinalists will receive notification by early March, at which point they must complete a detailed application. The final selection of winners is made by the MIT Technology Review editorial staff in conjunction with a panel of external expert judges.

The competition’s remit is to champion young individuals contributing meaningfully to fields potentially encompassing improvements in human health, solutions to global challenges like climate change, the trajectory of artificial intelligence development, or the advancement of robotics. The goal is to showcase emergent innovation and identify those whose current work demonstrates a strong potential for future impact.

Those with questions about the competition may contact tr35@technologyreview.com.