2026 Tan Kah Kee Science Awards Ceremony Highlights Breakthroughs in Chinese Research

On February 12, 2026, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) hosted a press conference in Beijing to announce the recipients of the prestigious Tan Kah Kee Science Awards, also known as the Chen Jiageng Science Awards (陈嘉庚科学奖). Twenty-two outstanding Chinese scientists were honored for their pioneering contributions to frontier research across six key fields: mathematics and physics, chemistry, life sciences, earth sciences, information technology, and technological sciences. This biennial event underscores China's commitment to original innovation and self-reliance in science and technology.

The awards, comprising six major Science Award projects and twelve Young Scientist Awards for researchers under 40, recognize not just technical achievements but also leadership in international frontier domains. CAS Vice President Wang Keqiang emphasized that the selections align with national strategies in areas like semiconductors, new materials, and quantum computing. To date, the foundation has honored 182 scientists, fostering a vibrant ecosystem for higher education and research in China.

Legacy of the Tan Kah Kee Science Awards in Nurturing Chinese Talent

Named after Chen Jiageng, the renowned patriotic overseas Chinese leader and philanthropist known as Tan Kah Kee, these awards trace their roots to 1988. The Tan Kah Kee Science Award Foundation was formally established in 2003 with support from CAS, the Ministry of Finance, and Bank of China. The Young Scientist Award was added in 2010 to spotlight emerging talents under 40 years old. Each Science Award recipient receives RMB 1 million, a gold medal, and a certificate, while Young Scientists get RMB 200,000 and a certificate.

The rigorous selection process involves peer review, specialist committees, and final evaluation by the foundation's council. This mechanism has propelled Chinese universities and institutes to global prominence, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and addressing national priorities. For aspiring academics, such accolades highlight pathways in China's thriving research landscape—opportunities abundant in higher education research jobs.

Mathematics and Physics: Decoding the Universe's Origins with Zhao Gang

In the Mathematics and Physics category, Zhao Gang from the National Astronomical Observatories of CAS clinched the Science Award for "Discovery of chemical signatures of the universe's first-generation supermassive stars and early merger relics of the Milky Way." This groundbreaking work involves analyzing ancient starlight to uncover elemental abundances from the cosmos's infancy, revealing how supermassive stars forged heavy elements and how the Milky Way formed through mergers billions of years ago.

Step-by-step, Zhao's team used high-resolution spectroscopy on stars in the galactic halo, identifying unusual abundance patterns like carbon-enhanced metal-poor stars. These signatures indicate pollution from the first massive stars exploding as pair-instability supernovae, lacking iron-group elements. The research also mapped merger histories using chemical tagging, aligning with Gaia satellite data. Impacts include refining galaxy formation models, vital for missions like China's FAST telescope. This positions Chinese astronomy at the forefront, inspiring students at institutions like Peking University.

Chemistry Breakthrough: Zhang Tao's Single-Atom Catalysis Revolution

Zhang Tao, academician at CAS's Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, received the Chemistry Science Award for "Single-Atom Catalysis." Introduced in 2011, this paradigm shifts catalysis from nanoparticles to isolated atoms, maximizing atom utilization to nearly 100% and enabling precise active site control.

The process: Anchor single metal atoms (e.g., Pt, Pd) on supports like graphene via defects or coordination; characterize via aberration-corrected electron microscopy and X-ray absorption; optimize for reactions like CO oxidation or hydrogenation. Achievements include one-step cellulose-to-ethylene glycol conversion. By 2025, over 5,000 global papers cited this, influencing industries from clean energy to pharmaceuticals. Zhang credits China's R&D investments. For chemists eyeing careers, explore research assistant jobs in catalysis hubs like Dalian.

Life Sciences Innovation: Huang Sanwen's Hybrid Potato Genome Design

Huang Sanwen from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences' Shenzhen Agri-Genomics Institute earned the Life Sciences Award for "Whole-genome design breeding of hybrid potatoes." Potatoes, a staple for billions, face yield and disease challenges; Huang's team deconstructed genomes to design superior hybrids.

Methodology: Sequence thousands of potato accessions; identify key loci for traits like tuber size and resistance; use CRISPR and speed-breeding for rapid cycles; achieve first commercial diploid hybrids. This boosts yields 20-30%, enhances nutrition, and supports food security amid climate change. Relevant for agronomy programs in Chinese universities, linking to higher ed career advice in biotech.

Earth Sciences: Zhou Zhonghe's Jehol Biota Revelations

Zhou Zhonghe of CAS's Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology won for "Evolution and geological background of the Jehol Biota." This Early Cretaceous ecosystem in Liaoning yielded feathered dinosaurs, early birds, and mammals, revolutionizing vertebrate evolution understanding.

Research steps: Excavate volcanic ash sites; integrate biostratigraphy, radiometric dating, and phylogenetics; reconstruct paleoenvironments showing lake volcanism enabled exceptional preservation. Findings confirm bird-dinosaur links and angiosperm rise. Zhou's work trains paleontologists, with implications for museums and earth science departments nationwide.

Information Technology: Nanchang University's V-Defect PN Junction Team

First university win: Nanchang University's Jiang Fengyi, Zhang Jili, and Wu Xiaoming for "V-defect 3D PN junction and applications" in IT Science Award. GaN-based LEDs suffer efficiency droop; their V-pit engineering forms 3D junctions, enhancing current spreading and light extraction.

Process: Epitaxial growth with intentional V-defects; embed p-GaN nanowires; achieve micro-LEDs for displays. Boosts efficiency 50%, key for AR/VR. Highlights universities' role, drawing talent to China university jobs.Official announcement

Technological Sciences: Nanjing Tech's Aerospace TiAl Breakthrough

Nanjing University of Science and Technology's Chen Guang, Qi Zhixiang, and Chen Yang secured the Tech Sciences Award for "Lightweight heat-resistant TiAl single crystals for aerospace power." TiAl alloys endure 800°C+ for engines but crack easily; their single-crystal tech via directional solidification improves creep resistance.

Steps: Alloy design with Nb/Mo; Bridgman growth; coating for oxidation. Enables lighter turbines, cutting fuel 10%. Supports aviation self-reliance, vital for higher ed engineering programs.

Spotlight on Young Scientists: Emerging Stars Under 40

The Young Scientist Awards celebrated 12 talents:

• Math/Phys: Du Lingjie (Nanjing U, graviton in quantum Hall), Wang Guozhen (Fudan U, homotopy groups).
• Chem: Liu Zhibo (PKU, radioactivity-driven drugs), Huang Xiaoqiang (Nanjing U, photoenzymes).
• Life: Li Hanjie (Shenzhen CAS, novel immune cells), Liu Xing (Shanghai CAS, anti-infection mechanisms).
• Earth: Cai Shuhui (Geophysics CAS, lunar magnetism), Ge Rongfeng (Nanjing U, early continents).
• IT: Wang Jianwei (PKU, quantum chips), Wang Zhen (NWPU, game AI).
• Tech: Pan Qingsong (Metal Research CAS, ordered metals), Li Tiefeng (Zhejiang U, deep-sea robots).

Universities like Nanjing U (3 winners) and PKU (2) shine, signaling hotspots for professor jobs.

Implications for Chinese Higher Education and Research Careers

These awards spotlight universities' ascent: Nanchang U and Nanjing Tech's first Science wins; Nanjing U's youth dominance. They boost enrollment in STEM, funding, and international collaborations. For global talents, China's ecosystem offers postdoc opportunities. Challenges like intense competition persist, but solutions include interdisciplinary training.

Photo by XinYing Lin on Unsplash

Future Outlook: Driving China's Sci-Tech Self-Reliance

Honorees like Zhang Tao and Pan Qingsong stress team efforts and policy support. Future focuses: quantum, AI, biotech. Aspiring scientists, rate professors via Rate My Professor or seek career advice. These awards propel China toward sci-tech leadership.

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