Breakthrough Prize 2026 Awards Over $18 Million for Scientific Discoveries
The 2026 Breakthrough Prize ceremony, often referred to as the 'Oscars of Science,' took place in Los Angeles, awarding over $18 million to scientists for their groundbreaking work in life sciences, fundamental physics, and mathematics. Six mainstage prizes, each valued at $3 million, were distributed, along with a special lifetime achievement award. Notable winners include Jean Bennett, Katherine A. High, and Albert Maguire for developing the first FDA-approved gene therapy for an inherited disease, and Stuart H. Orkin and Swee Lay Thein for their work on gene-editing therapies for sickle cell disease. The event also recognized advancements in particle physics and the mathematics of complex systems.