Takeda and Nature Announce Call for Applications Now Open for 2026 Innovators in Science Award
− Award supports emerging biomedical researchers globally focused on gastrointestinal and inflammatory diseases, neuroscience and oncology
Takeda ((TAK) today announced that applications are now open for its Innovators in Science Award. This prestigious global award, originally launched in 2016, celebrates groundbreaking research with a focus on emerging scientific leaders who are advancing the frontiers of scientific discovery and fostering innovation that has the potential to transform lives.
In 2026, the Takeda Innovators in Science Award with Nature will recognize promising early-career scientists in the areas of gastrointestinal and inflammatory diseases, neuroscience, and oncology. Takeda will award three category winners – one from each area of focus – with a $75,000 prize. One grand prize winner, to be announced live at the Innovators in Science Award gala on April 9, 2026, will also receive an additional $175,000 award, for a total grand prize of $250,000.
To address challenges that are unique to emerging scientists, category winners and shortlisted applicants will be invited to participate in a 12-month career development program administered by Nature. The program will offer training to develop skills such as grant writing, research communication and lab management. Winners will also have access to mentorship opportunities.
As one of the largest prizes of its kind, the Innovators in Science Award reinforces Takeda's commitment to promoting scientific excellence and fostering a culture of partnership between industry and academia.
"Since 2016, our Innovators in Science Award has uplifted researchers who are not afraid of asking big questions, thinking outside the box and doggedly pursuing discoveries to advance science," said Andrew Plump, M.D., Ph.D., president of R&D at Takeda. "We are proud to shine a spotlight on rising scientists who are driving bold, transformative breakthroughs in their fields. Through funding, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities, we aim to support their continued professional growth."
Springer Nature will independently administer the award on behalf of Takeda, with responsibility for reviewing applications and selecting judges and winners.
"For 150 years, Nature has earned the trust of the global research community by publishing groundbreaking advances across all areas of science and technology. We recognize the vital contributions of early-career researchers and are committed to supporting their growth and success," added Nature's publisher Richard Hughes. "We are proud to partner with Takeda on the Innovators in Science Award—an initiative designed to celebrate and elevate the work of exceptional early-career scientists. We invite researchers around the world to apply, and we remain dedicated to providing a rigorous evaluation process and amplifying the voices and achievements of the award winners across our platforms."
The Call for Applications is now open at https://www.innovatorsinscienceaward.com/ and will remain open through September 16, 2025. Shortlisted applicants will be announced in January 2026 and category winners will be announced in February 2026, ahead of the live grand prize announcement at the gala on April 9, 2026, in Boston.
About the Innovators in Science Award
Launched in 2016, the Takeda Innovators in Science Award provides scientific leaders with the support and recognition needed to drive bold, transformative breakthroughs in their fields. Since its inception, the award has celebrated the outstanding contributions of 10 established and early career researchers with $2M of unrestricted funding. This global award recognizes researchers who are advancing the frontiers of scientific discovery, fostering innovation that has the potential to transform lives. In 2026, the Innovators in Science Award honors groundbreaking research by early career scientists in gastrointestinal and inflammatory diseases, neuroscience and oncology. Past winners include: Elham Azizi, Ph.D., for her innovative models that helped identify determinants of immunotherapy response in leukemia for the first time; Elaine Y. Hsiao, Ph.D., for her discoveries of how the gut microbiome influences the brain and behavior; and Viviana Gradinaru, Ph.D., for enabling targeted gene delivery across the blood-brain barrier for research and clinical purposes. For more information, visit https://innovatorsinscienceaward.com
About Takeda
Takeda is focused on creating better health for people and a brighter future for the world. We aim to discover and deliver life-transforming treatments in our core therapeutic and business areas, including gastrointestinal and inflammation, rare diseases, plasma-derived therapies, oncology, neuroscience and vaccines. Together with our partners, we aim to improve the patient experience and advance a new frontier of treatment options through our dynamic and diverse pipeline. As a leading values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan, we are guided by our commitment to patients, our people and the planet. Our employees in approximately 80 countries and regions are driven by our purpose and are grounded in the values that have defined us for more than two centuries. For more information, visit www.takeda.com.
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