#Hong Kong #Yidan Prize #Paul Glewwe #Susan Walker

Yidan Prize 2026: Celebrating Champions of Education and Health

The Yidan Prize Foundation held a press conference in Hong Kong on September 4, 2026, to announce the winners of the Yidan Prize 2026, marking a significant milestone in the pursuit of innovative educational practices. Founded in 2016, the Yidan Prize is the highest global accolade in education, awarded to individuals whose transformative research and programs impact communities positively.

Award Recipients

This year, the prestigious award in education research was awarded to Professor Paul W. Glewwe from the University of Minnesota. His groundbreaking research has dismantled barriers to education by highlighting the importance of socio-economic, health, and nutritional factors in children's learning outcomes. Glewwe’s pioneering work includes integrating literacy and numeracy indicators into World Bank surveys, which has provided policymakers crucial insights into the relationship between poverty and education.

Simultaneously, Professors Susan P. Walker, Sally Grantham-McGregor, and Dr. Susan M. Chang-Lopez were honored for their contributions to early childhood education. Their program, Reach Up, aims to foster child development in under-resourced communities. By equipping caregivers with knowledge and skills, they have enhanced early learning through culturally relevant, enjoyable activities.

Prize Allocation

The laureates each received HKD 30 million (approximately USD 3.8 million), comprised of HKD 15 million in cash and an additional HKD 15 million in a non-designated project fund. This financial support is intended to further their research and extend its impact.

In total, since its inception, the Yidan Prize Foundation has awarded HKD 600 million (about USD 77 million) to 25 laureates spanning 60 countries and regions.

Vision and Impact

Dr. Charles CHEN Yidan, the founder of the Yidan Prize, emphasized the collective impact of the laureates’ efforts over the past decade. He stated that the Yidan Prize has become a beacon guiding the future of education worldwide. “Each laureate strengthens this commitment by bringing innovative ideas and expanding perspectives to shape the future of education.”

The grants are designed to support individuals dedicated to forward-thinking, transformative, and sustainable educational advancements. Applications for Yidan Prize 2027 will be accepted from October 27, 2026, to March 2, 2027.

Paul Glewwe’s Achievements

Professor Glewwe’s influential work utilizes randomized controlled trials to evaluate educational programs' effectiveness. His analyses cover various educational contexts across 15 developing countries, informing educational policy and practice globally. Dr. Elizabeth M. King, jury chair for the education research segment, praised his unwavering scientific rigor and his long-standing dedication to improving educational access and quality for vulnerable populations.

Reach Up: Transformational Early Childhood Program

The collaborative effort among Professors Walker, Grantham-McGregor, and Chang-Lopez, exemplified by their Reach Up program, provides caregivers with essential tools to stimulate children’s cognitive development. The initiative emphasizes low-cost, local, culturally relevant activities from birth to age four, mobilizing existing social service networks in health, education, and social protection.

Currently, the program operates in over 21 countries across the Caribbean, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, proving its adaptability and widespread applicability. Dorothy K. Gordon, chair of the education development jury, celebrated the profound and equitable learning opportunities provided to children through Reach Up and its evidence-based interventions.

Upcoming Events: Yidan Prize Summit 2026

The 2026 laureates will engage in robust discussions during the Yidan Prize Summit from December 3-5, 2026, in Hong Kong. Following last year’s discussions about the future of education, this summit will explore the evolving role of education in fostering human connections and profound learning at the intersection of human creativity and artificial intelligence. The ceremony will culminate in honoring the 2026 Yidan Prize winners, celebrating their remarkable contributions and the ongoing journey toward educational reform worldwide.

About Yidan Prize Foundation

The Yidan Prize Foundation is dedicated to building a better world through education, creating a global community of change-makers across the fields of research, policy-making, and philanthropy. The foundation aims to inspire and guide initiatives that lead to transformative change in education systems globally. For more information, visit yidanprize.org.