French chemist Henri Cagnon and Japanese chemist Kenso Sōwai have jointly been awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, according to the Swedish Academy.
The winners were formally announced on Wednesday, October 7, at around 3:45 p.m. Bangladesh time, marking the latest announcement in this year’s Nobel Prize season.
The recognition honours the scientific contributions and research achievements of the two chemists from France and Japan, whose work has earned them one of the world’s most prestigious scientific distinctions.
The Chemistry prize is one of several Nobel awards announced annually in recognition of outstanding contributions to humanity. The announcement has once again drawn international attention from scientists, researchers and academic institutions around the world.
Last year, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar M. Yaghi for their work on metal-organic frameworks, or MOFs. Their research opened new possibilities in an important area of chemistry and demonstrated the potential of molecular structures to create materials with a wide range of applications.
The Nobel Prize was established in accordance with the will of Swedish scientist and dynamite inventor Alfred Nobel. The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901 to honour individuals whose achievements were deemed to have conferred the greatest benefit on humanity.
Under Nobel’s will, prizes were initially established in five categories: Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature and Peace. The Prize in Economic Sciences was later established in 1969 and became associated with the Nobel Prize tradition.
Today, the Nobel Prize is regarded as one of the highest international honours for outstanding achievements in science, literature, peace and related fields.
The Chemistry Nobel has been awarded 117 times, according to information associated with the prize’s history. The award has recognised numerous scientists whose discoveries and research have shaped modern chemistry and contributed to advances in medicine, industry, materials science and other fields.
The history of the Chemistry Nobel also includes notable records related to the ages of recipients. John B. Goodenough became one of the oldest recipients of the Chemistry Nobel when he was awarded the prize at the age of 97 in 2019. Among the younger laureates was Frédéric Joliot-Curie, who received the Chemistry Nobel in 1935 at the age of 35.
The annual Nobel announcements generate considerable interest worldwide, particularly across the scientific and academic communities. The Chemistry prize serves as a major international platform for recognising discoveries and research that expand the boundaries of scientific knowledge.
With the joint recognition of scientists from France and Japan, the 2026 Chemistry Nobel adds another chapter to the long history of the prestigious award.
Sources: Swedish Academy; Nobel Prize information