Nobel Prize 2026 Winners List : Who Won, Who's Next

Last updated: 5 October 2026. This page is updated after every announcement.

One prize is down. Five to go.

The 2026 Nobel season kicked off today with a discovery that sounds like science fiction: using light to switch brain cells on and off. Over the next week, the world learns who takes home the rest of the most famous prizes on Earth. Here is everything you need, in one place.

Nobel Prize 2026 Winners So Far

PHYSIOLOGY OR MEDICINE

Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel

Awarded jointly for their discoveries concerning light-gated ion channels and optogenetics.

What did they actually discover?

Imagine a tiny light switch for the brain. Optogenetics makes it possible to switch the activity of individual nerve cells on or off in a living brain.

The surprising part is where it started. The work began with the alga Chlamydomonas, which senses light using an eyespot. Deisseroth later introduced the gene for channelrhodopsin-2 into nerve cells and activated neurons in the brains of living mice.

Why does it matter? The method helps show how nerve cells shape memories, feelings and behaviours in the living brain.

How much do they win?

The prize amount is 12 million Swedish kronor, shared equally between the laureates. With three winners, that is one third each.

Nobel Prize 2026 Schedule: What Is Coming This Week

Physics is announced on Tuesday 6 October at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Chemistry on Wednesday 7 October, Literature on Thursday 8 October, Peace on Friday 9 October, and Economics on Monday 12 October.

Prize	Date	US Eastern	Sydney	Winner
Medicine	Mon 5 Oct	Done	Done	Deisseroth, Hegemann, Nagel
Physics	Tue 6 Oct	5:45 am	8:45 pm	Coming
Chemistry	Wed 7 Oct	5:45 am	8:45 pm	Coming
Literature	Thu 8 Oct	7:00 am	10:00 pm	Coming
Peace	Fri 9 Oct	5:00 am	8:00 pm	Coming
Economics	Mon 12 Oct	5:45 am	8:45 pm	Coming

Announcements can start a few minutes late, but never early. Only the Peace Prize has a fixed start time.

What to Know About Each Prize

Physics and Chemistry (6 and 7 October): Both are announced by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm.

Literature (8 October): The Swedish Academy makes the announcement. Even though nominations are secret, many writers are widely expected to be contenders each year. Treat any "favorites" list as guesswork until the day.

Peace (9 October): This is the one that usually gets people talking. The announcement is made in Oslo by the chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Jørgen Watne Frydnes. It is also the only prize not announced in Sweden.

Economics (12 October): The grand finale. It is not one of the original five prizes. It is sponsored by Sveriges Riksbank and chosen in a similar way to the others.

Where to Watch Live

All announcements are broadcast live on the official digital channels of the Nobel Prize. It is free, and you do not need to register.

When Do Winners Get Their Medals?

Laureates receive their medals, diplomas and prize money on 10 December, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death. The Peace Prize is presented in Oslo and the others in Stockholm.

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Source: official announcements and press releases at NobelPrize.org.