How we picked 35 of the world’s top young scientists and engineers

Next month, on September 8, MIT Technology Review will unveil its 2026 list of Innovators Under 35, honoring 35 young individuals from across the globe who are making groundbreaking scientific advancements and devising innovative technical solutions to complex issues. The goal is to identify the world's top emerging innovators, providing readers with insight into the future developments in various fields, as well as to identify rising talent for the newsroom.

The inaugural Innovators Under 35 list was published in 1999, and it has since become a cherished annual tradition alongside the 10 Breakthrough Technologies, 10 Climate Tech Companies to Watch, and the new 10 Things That Matter in AI Right Now lists.

Since its inception, many of the featured individuals have gone on to significantly impact the tech industry and wider culture, such as Lisa Su (2002), who transformed AMD into one of the world's leading chipmakers, and Daniel Ek (2012), co-founder of Spotify, described as a "jukebox in the cloud." Subscribers can explore all past honorees through this database.

The process of selecting the 2026 Innovators took several months, starting with 550 nominations, both from staff and through a public nomination process. The editors narrowed down the entries to 110 semifinalists, who demonstrated efforts to solve significant problems or make progress in their scientific endeavors. All semifinalists then submitted applications, including reference letters, videos, and résumés.

Forty-four expert judges, some former Innovators themselves, aided in evaluating the applications. The judges, who have consistently volunteered their time and expertise, assessed the candidates on their potential to make a substantial impact in one of four categories: biotechnology, artificial intelligence, computing and robotics, or climate and energy.

Costa Samaras, a 2026 judge and director of Carnegie Mellon’s Scott Institute for Energy Innovation, emphasized that the selected Innovators exemplify the best aspects of science and technology research – pushing the boundaries of ideas to create a better future for all.

The 2026 list of Innovators will be available to MIT Technology Review subscribers on September 8, accessible through the website or the September/October issue, which will hit newsstands on August 31. If you know a deserving individual, consider nominating them for next year's competition, with nominations opening by early December. Stay informed by subscribing to The Download.