The International Balzan Prize Foundation seeks nominations for the 2026 Balzan Prizes in four subject areas: The Social Science of Digital Technology, Jewish Studies, Biodegradable Polymers from Renewable Sources, and Molecular Evolution: Decoding Patterns of Genomic Change.

Each of the four 2026 Balzan Prizes is 750,000 Swiss francs. Half the prize money will be awarded to the recipient in recognition of her/his work. The other half will be allocated by the Prize winner to a research project involving young researchers or research groups. The research proposal will be subject to the approval of the General Prize Committee. 

Self-nominations will not be considered, and there are different requirements for candidates in the social sciences and humanities versus physical, mathematical, natural sciences and medicine. Full details on nomination requirements are in this letter from the Secretary General of the Foundation.

Prizes may be awarded to individuals or to small working teams who have produced results jointly. More than one candidate may be nominated for each prize subject. Furthermore, they do not necessarily have to be part of the institution of the individual making the nomination, nor of the same nationality. 

Nominations, which must be signed by the nominators, must reach the General Prize Committee by March 15, 2026, and they will be treated in the strictest confidentiality and in compliance with existing legislation on the processing of personal data. All documentation should be addressed to:

Chair of the General Prize Committee 
International Balzan Foundation “Prize” 
Piazzetta Umberto Giordano 4, 20122 Milano, Italia 
balzan@balzan.it