Applications are open for the Nature Awards AI for Discovery, an award developed in partnership with the BCG X AI Science Institute. This initiative is designed to celebrate and support research groups that are utilizing AI and machine intelligence to address significant societal challenges. The award aims to empower leading scientific teams by providing dedicated resources, global recognition, and bespoke training, enabling them to advance their work and translate discoveries into real-world impact.
Program Overview
• Target Audience: The program is intended for research groups that employ AI or machine intelligence to drive scientific discovery.
• Focus Areas: The award recognizes AI-powered research that accelerates solutions to challenges across three main categories: health and life sciences; energy, environment, and agriculture; and industry, infrastructure, and manufacturing.
Prizes and Benefits
• Four successful applicants will each receive a comprehensive support package:
• A US$10,000 development grant to advance the next phase of their research.
• An all-expenses-paid invitation to a gala event and symposium in London, UK, in November 2026, where they will present their work to a global audience of scientists, policymakers, and industry leaders.
• International exposure through Nature and BCG X channels.
• Access to bespoke virtual training delivered by BCG X AI Science Institute consultants on topics such as model development, scaling, and pathways to commercialization.
• One overall winner, selected from the four successful applicants, will receive an additional eight hours of tailored, one-to-one coaching from BCG X AI Science Institute consultants to help bridge the gap between discovery and deployment.
Eligibility Criteria
• Research Focus: The research must be applied scientific work powered by AI or machine intelligence in one of the three specified categories.
• Scientific Foundation: The work must have a strong scientific basis supported by positive data, with the most recent results published in a peer-reviewed journal within the last five years.
• Impact: The research must demonstrate measurable real-world impact or include a clearly defined pathway-to-impact plan for translating the work into practical solutions.
• Applicant Type: Eligible applicants are research groups based at universities, research institutes, hospitals, government organizations, or not-for-profit organizations.
• Geographic Scope: Research groups from any country are eligible, except those based in sanctioned countries.
• Submission Lead: Applications must be submitted by a core member of the research group, who will act as the lead applicant.
Evaluation Process
• Review Panel: Applications will be reviewed by a panel of Nature editors and subject matter experts from diverse backgrounds.
• Assessment Criteria: Applications will be evaluated based on four equally weighted criteria:
• The Science: Originality and quality of the science, and evidence of efficacy.
• The Role of AI: Integration of AI into methods and the responsible use of AI.
• The Impact: Scale and importance of the problem, evidence of impact, and the pathway-to-impact plan.
• The Future: The long-term vision for the research, the plan to achieve it, and how winning the award would accelerate development.
Application and Timeline
• Application Method: Applications must be submitted through the official online application form.
• Launch Date: 25 February 2026
• Application Deadline: 27 May 2026, 11:59 pm UTC (00:59 GMT+1 on 28 May 2026).
• Application Assessment Period: May to August 2026
• Notification of Successful Applicants: September 2026
• Winner Announcement and Ceremony: 3–6 November 2026
This award offers a significant opportunity for research groups at the forefront of AI-driven scientific discovery to accelerate their work and amplify its impact. Interested parties are encouraged to review the detailed eligibility and evaluation criteria provided by the organizers to prepare strong submissions.