Key Takeaways
- The Texas Academy of Medicine, Engineering, Science and Technology (TAMEST) and Lyda Hill Philanthropies have announced the winners of the 2026 Hill Prizes.
- The awards recognize top researchers in fields such as AI, technology, biological and physical science, engineering, medicine, and public health.
- Each recipient receives $500,000 in direct funding to advance their groundbreaking innovations.
- The prizes aim to highlight Texas as a premier destination for world-class research.
- Additional discretionary funding of at least $1 million is available to support highly ranked applicants who were not selected as recipients.
Introduction to the 2026 Hill Prizes
The Texas Academy of Medicine, Engineering, Science and Technology (TAMEST) and Lyda Hill Philanthropies have recently announced the winners of the 2026 Hill Prizes. These prestigious awards recognize and support top researchers working in various fields, including artificial intelligence, technology, biological and physical science, engineering, medicine, and public health. The prizes are designed to provide seed funding to advance groundbreaking innovations and highlight Texas as a premier destination for world-class research. This year’s recipients are a testament to the state’s thriving research community and its commitment to pushing the boundaries of human knowledge.
The 2026 Prize Recipients
The seven winners of the 2026 Hill Prizes are an impressive group of researchers who have made significant contributions to their respective fields. Kristen Grauman, a researcher at the University of Texas at Austin, has been recognized for her work in artificial intelligence. Susan M. Rosenberg, a scientist at Baylor College of Medicine, has been awarded for her contributions to biological science. Naomi J. Halas, a researcher at Rice University, has been recognized for her work in engineering. Raghu Kalluri, a researcher at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, has been awarded for his contributions to medicine. Karen L. Wooley, a researcher at Texas A&M University, has been recognized for her work in physical science. Elizabeth C. Matsui, a researcher at UT Austin, has been awarded for her contributions to public health. Finally, Kurt W. Swogger, co-founder of Molecular Rebar Design, has been recognized for his work in technology. Each of these recipients will receive $500,000 in direct funding to support their research and advance their innovations.
The Significance of the Hill Prizes
The Hill Prizes are significant not only because of the funding they provide but also because of the recognition they bring to the researchers and their work. The prizes are a testament to the importance of research and innovation in driving progress and improving lives. By supporting top researchers in various fields, the Hill Prizes help to accelerate the development of new technologies, treatments, and solutions that can address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Furthermore, the prizes help to highlight Texas as a hub for world-class research, attracting talent and investment to the state and contributing to its economic growth and development.
Additional Funding Opportunities
In addition to the announced prizes, Lyda Hill Philanthropies has committed at least $1 million in discretionary funding to support the work of highly ranked applicants who were not selected as recipients. This additional funding opportunity demonstrates the organization’s commitment to supporting research and innovation in Texas and provides a safety net for researchers who may not have been selected for the Hill Prizes. The discretionary funding can be used to support a wide range of research projects and initiatives, from basic science to applied research and technology development. By providing this additional funding, Lyda Hill Philanthropies is helping to ensure that researchers in Texas have the resources they need to pursue their ideas and make a meaningful impact.
Conclusion
The 2026 Hill Prizes are a significant recognition of the outstanding research being conducted in Texas. The prizes not only provide funding to support innovative research but also help to highlight the state’s thriving research community and its commitment to advancing knowledge and improving lives. With the additional discretionary funding available, researchers in Texas have even more opportunities to pursue their ideas and make a meaningful impact. As the research community in Texas continues to grow and thrive, it is likely that we will see even more groundbreaking innovations and discoveries in the years to come. For more information about the 2026 prize recipients and their research, please visit the TAMEST website.
