Applications Now Open for the 2026 Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature

Sony Group Corporation (Sony) and Nature today announced the application cycle for the 2026 Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature is now open.

The annual award, launched to champion promising women researchers during crucial phases in their research and career development, recognizes three outstanding early to mid-career women researchers in technology (including science, engineering and mathematics) whose work is driving positive impact on society and the planet. Applications for the award will be accepted from March 6, 2025 at 12 AM GMT through May 30, 2025 at 11:59 PM GMT. 

The winners of the award will be announced in early 2026. The three winners will each receive a prize of $250,000 U.S. Dollars to support and accelerate work related to their research and a chance to showcase their achievements on nature.com. 

Submissions will be evaluated by a judging panel of independent, esteemed technologists, scientists and experts from across the globe, including Nature Editor-in-Chief Magdalena Skipper and Hiroaki Kitano, CTO of Sony Group Corporation. Each application will be judged on the merits of ambition, innovation, conceptual excellence, impact and social significance.  

Hiroaki Kitano commented:  

“Earlier this year, we were honored to recognize the inaugural finalists and winners of the Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature, each of whom is pioneering fascinating, multidisciplinary research that will have real-world impact outside of the lab. I am optimistic that this year’s cohort of applicants will also embody excellence and help expand this growing community of researchers across the globe. Whether you are in the early or mid-stage in your research career, we are excited to hear from you and champion your ambitions.” 

Remarking on Nature’s continued role in the program, Dr. Skipper said, “At Nature, we want to ensure that extraordinary technological breakthroughs get the recognition they deserve throughout the global research community. In partnering with Sony, we are jointly creating a high-caliber platform for rewarding and raising awareness of vital technological achievements from women researchers. The world needs their research and inventions.” 

The award is open to applicants who self-identify as women and conduct research and development in technology. Eligible researchers working within a university, research institute, or university spin-out company are encouraged to apply. For more details about eligibility, please refer to the award site here. 

See last year’s winners: https://womenintechnology.sony.com/winners2025