2026 Yidan Prize Honors Pioneers in Educational Transformation

The Yidan Prize Foundation has announced its 2026 laureates, celebrating those who have redefined education at the confluence of health, nutrition, and economics. Two awards, presented during a press conference in Hong Kong, highlight transformative contributions to education. Professor Paul W. Glewwe received the Yidan Prize for Education Research, recognized for his work on socioeconomic, health, and nutrition factors affecting children's learning. His innovative methods have informed education policies across 15 developing countries.

Professors Susan P. Walker, Sally Grantham-McGregor, and Dr. Susan M. Chang-Lopez shared the Yidan Prize for Education Development for their early childhood intervention program, Reach Up. This initiative, focused on low-resource communities, enhances caregivers' abilities to nurture children's development through culturally adaptable activities. Their program is now active in over 21 countries, promoting equal opportunities in education.

The 2026 Yidan Prize Summit will further explore education's evolving role in society from December 3 to 5, with an aim to advance deep learning and holistic development in the AI era.