The 'Oscars of Science': Breakthrough Prize 2026 awards over $18 million for discoveries across space, physics and more

The 2026 Breakthrough Prize winners were announced Saturday (April 18) as the red carpet opened at the annual gala in Los Angeles, a globally broadcast ceremony often dubbed the "Oscars of Science," where celebrities and tech leaders mingle with researchers to celebrate major scientific advances. Six mainstage prizes — each worth $3 million — were awarded across life sciences, fundamental physics and mathematics, along with a special prize for lifetime achievement. This year's honors recognize breakthroughs ranging from gene therapies and neurodegenerative disease to precision particle physics and the mathematics of complex systems, according to a statement from the non-profit organization. "This year's laureates show what great science can do — deepen our understanding of the world and lead to discoveries that improve millions of lives," Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, founders of the nonprofit research organization called Biohub, said in the statement . "We're proud to recognize their work." In life sciences, Jean Bennett, Katherine A. High and Albert Maguire were recognized for developing the first FDA-approved gene therapy for an inherited disease. Their work led to a treatment for retinal degeneration that restores functional vision, marking a turning point for genetic medicine and helping spark a wave of similar therapies now in development. Another life sciences prize went to Stuart H. …