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The Fields Medal 2026, regarded as the highest honour in mathematics, was awarded to Yu Deng, John Pardon, Jacob Tsimerman, and Hong Wang for their outstanding contributions to mathematical research.

About the Fields Medal

• The Fields Medal is the world's most prestigious award in mathematics, often referred to as the "Nobel Prize of Mathematics."
• It was established in 1936 through the efforts of John Charles Fields, a Canadian mathematician, and is awarded by the International Mathematical Union (IMU) once every four years.
• Unlike lifetime achievement awards, the medal recognizes both exceptional mathematical accomplishments and the recipient's potential for future contributions.

Eligibility & Funding

• The award is presented to mathematicians below 40 years of age, with two to four recipients selected in each award cycle.
• The medals and prize money are financed through a trust created by J.C. Fields at the University of Toronto. In 2026, the prize fund also received support from the Fields Institute.

Highlights of the 2026 Awards

The 2026 edition honouredYu Deng, John Pardon, Jacob Tsimerman, and Hong Wang.

• Hong Wang became only the third woman to receive the Fields Medal, following Maryam Mirzakhani (2014) and Maryna Viazovska (2022).
• Yu Deng and Hong Wang became the first Chinese nationals to receive the award since Shing-Tung Yau (1982).

India and the Fields Medal

Indian-origin mathematicians have made significant contributions in recent years.

• Manjul Bhargava – Fields Medal 2014
• Akshay Venkatesh – Fields Medal 2018