The 2026 Nobel Prize winners have been announced across six categories, recognising outstanding contributions to medicine, physics, chemistry, literature, peace and economic sciences.

The announcements, which began on October 5, concluded on Monday, October 12, with the declaration of the winners of the economics prize.

This year’s laureates include scientists whose discoveries have advanced neuroscience and our understanding of the universe, a writer recognised for her innovative literary works, a human rights jurist honoured for promoting international law, and economists whose research has contributed to the understanding of economic stability.

Below is the full list of the 2026 Nobel Prize winners and the contributions for which they were recognised.

1. Physiology or Medicine

Winners: Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel.

The three scientists received the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discoveries concerning light-gated ion channels and optogenetics.

Their work helped establish optogenetics, a technique that uses light to control the activity of nerve cells. The technology has transformed neuroscience by allowing researchers to investigate how specific neurons influence brain functions, including memory, emotions and behaviour.

2. Physics

Winner: Francis Halzen.

Belgian-American physicist Francis Halzen received the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics for his decisive contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin.

Neutrinos are extremely elusive subatomic particles that can pass through matter with little interaction. Their detection provides scientists with a new way to investigate some of the universe’s most energetic phenomena, including events associated with distant galaxies and black holes.

Halzen’s work helped establish neutrino astronomy as an important field of modern astrophysics.

3. Chemistry

Winners: Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai.

French chemist Henri B. Kagan and Japanese chemist Kenso Soai were recognised for their discoveries concerning non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis.

Their research has advanced understanding of chemical reactions that favour one of two mirror-image forms of a molecule. Such processes are important because different molecular forms can behave differently in biological systems, particularly in the development and production of medicines.

Their contributions have helped deepen scientific understanding of molecular asymmetry and the mechanisms behind it.

4. Literature

Winner: Anne Carson.

Canadian poet, essayist, classicist and translator Anne Carson won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature for her distinctive and inventive body of work.

The Swedish Academy recognised her ability to engage creatively with classical traditions while developing new forms of contemporary literature.

Carson’s writing frequently combines poetry, prose, translation and classical scholarship. Her notable works include Autobiography of Red, Eros the Bittersweet and If Not, Winter: Fragments of Sappho.

5. Peace

Winner: Navanethem “Navi” Pillay.

South African jurist and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay received the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law.

Pillay has spent decades working in human rights, international justice and legal accountability. Her career includes serving as a judge of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Court, as well as leading the UN human rights office between 2008 and 2014.

The Nobel Committee’s recognition highlights her contributions to strengthening international legal institutions and advancing accountability for serious crimes, including genocide and crimes against humanity.

6. Economic Sciences

Winners: Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford.

American economists Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford were jointly awarded the 2026 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel for their work on the microeconomic foundations of macroeconomic stabilisation.

Their research has contributed to understanding how the decisions and expectations of households and businesses influence broader economic conditions.

The work is relevant to the development of economic policies intended to manage fluctuations, respond to shocks and support stability. The prize was announced on October 12, completing this year’s schedule of Nobel Prize announcements.

About the Nobel Prizes

The Nobel Prizes were established through the will of Swedish inventor and industrialist Alfred Nobel, who directed that his fortune be used to recognise contributions benefiting humanity. The first prizes were awarded in 1901.

The prize in economic sciences was established separately by Sweden’s central bank, Sveriges Riksbank, in memory of Alfred Nobel and was first awarded in 1969.

The laureates are scheduled to receive their awards at ceremonies in December.

The 2026 winners reflect achievements across scientific research, creative expression, international justice and economic theory, highlighting the continuing global influence of work that advances knowledge and addresses important human challenges.