Chemistry Nobel 2026 awarded to Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai

Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai. File. Source: Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

This year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai for the discovery of "non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis", the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced on Wednesday (October 7, 2026).

Last year, the jury honoured Japan's Susumu Kitagawa, U.K.-born Richard Robson and American-Jordanian Omar Yaghi for developing a method of designing molecular structures. In 2024, David Baker, Demis Hassabis and John Jumper were recognised for thier work on computational protein design and protein structure prediction.

Editorial | Let there be light: On the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine

The announcement of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine kicked off Nobel announcement week, with Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel winning the 2026 prize for discoveries that led to optogenetics, a technique that allows scientists to control select nerve cells using light. The Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Francis Halzen for his contributions to IceCube, a neutrino observatory at the South Pole, and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin.

The Nobel-winning science of optogenetics: Explained

On Thursday (October 8, 2026), the literature laureate will be revealed, and perhaps the most keenly anticipated award -- the peace prize -- is due on Friday (October 9, 2026).

The economics prize wraps up the Nobel season on October 12.

Nobel Prize 2026 Winners | Full List

The Nobel consists of a diploma, a gold medal, and a 12-million-kronor ($ 1.2 million) prize, which is shared if there is more than one winner in a discipline.