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2026 Yidan Prize Honors Education Trailblazers

On September 4, 2026, the Yidan Prize Foundation, a global philanthropic organization, held a press conference in Hong Kong to announce the recipients of the prestigious Yidan Prize for this year. This marks a stellar milestone as it celebrates the tenth anniversary of the award, which champions pioneers in education worldwide.

The independent jury, chaired by Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills at OECD, selected Professor Paul W. Glewwe as the laureate in the category of Education Research. Glewwe's significant contributions to the field have focused on dismantling barriers to learning by formulating effective policy strategies and interventions informed by comprehensive research. His work is aimed at unleashing the potential of children from vulnerable communities, ultimately paving the path for healthier and more prosperous futures.

Alongside Professor Glewwe, notable mentions go to Professor Susan P. Walker, Professor Sally Grantham-McGregor, and Dr. Susan M. Chang-Lopez. They each earned recognition for their innovative approach to early childhood education, which fosters optimal child development and alters life trajectories in resource-limited, displaced, and Indigenous communities. Their groundbreaking work utilizes evidence-based methods designed to support caregivers in enhancing children's growth and cognition within the formative years.

The Yidan Prize laureates will each receive a total of 30 million Hong Kong dollars, approximately 3.8 million U.S. dollars. This sum includes 15 million Hong Kong dollars in cash and another 15 million allocated to an unrestricted project fund to assist in amplifying their work and impact. Since its founding in 2017, the Yidan Prize Foundation has allocated 600 million Hong Kong dollars (around 77 million U.S. dollars) to 25 laureates, aiding initiatives across nearly 60 countries and regions.

Dr. Charles CHEN Yidan, the founder of the Yidan Prize, emphasized the profound impact of the laureates over the past decade. He stated, "Thanks to the efforts and collective contributions of our laureates, the Yidan Prize has become a beacon illuminating paths forward in global education. Each laureate strengthens this commitment, bringing transformative ideas and expanding opportunities for shaping the future of education."

The Yidan Prize honors changemakers whose contributions are future-oriented, innovative, transformative, and sustainable. Nominations for the 2027 Yidan Prize will be open from October 27, 2026, to March 2, 2027, with a goal of showcasing best practices and eliminating obstacles that hinder children's learning on a grand scale.

Spotlight on Education Research

Professor Paul W. Glewwe, awarded the Yidan Prize for Research in Education for 2026, has made impactful discoveries demonstrating how socioeconomic, health, and nutritional factors extend beyond conventional educational inputs. His dedicated work has led to the establishment of literacy, numeracy, and abstract thinking indicators among children and their parents within World Bank household surveys. These insights facilitate a deeper understanding for policymakers regarding the interrelation between poverty, inequality, and education.

Glewwe has pioneered the use of randomized controlled trials (RCT) to assess the effectiveness of educational programs and policies, assisting governments and development organizations in directing resources towards approaches shown to enhance learning outcomes. He was also among the first economists to incorporate social-emotional skills into analyses concerning education and development.

Dr. Elizabeth M. King, chair of the Yidan Prize jury for Education Research, highlighted the essence of Glewwe's work, stating, "Transforming education systems and outcomes happens when uncompromising scientific rigor meets unwavering determination to positively affect lives. Paul Glewwe embodies this rigor with nearly 40 years of consistent effort. He provides governments with the evidence needed for wise resource allocation, equips teachers with tools for effective instruction, and grants millions of disadvantaged children the opportunity to learn, thrive, and break the cycle of generational poverty."

Early Intervention in Childhood Development

The trio of awardees, Professor Susan P. Walker, Professor Sally Grantham-McGregor, and Dr. Susan M. Chang-Lopez, received the Yidan Prize for Education Development for their groundbreaking early childhood intervention program named "Reach Up." As distinguished members of their respective fields, their research has centered on the critical role of early stimulation and high-quality interactions in shaping children's development and life courses.

Their program employs low-cost, culturally adaptable activities rooted in daily routines, empowering caregivers to enhance their skills and confidence in nurturing children aged 0 to 4 years. Currently operational in over 21 countries—including regions in the Caribbean, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East—the Reach Up program utilizes existing healthcare and social protection systems, educational frameworks, and humanitarian support.

The educational materials and resources created under the Reach Up program are freely accessible and continuously evaluated for effectiveness to adapt to the evolving needs of communities.

Dorothy K. Gordon, chair of the jury for Education Development, emphasized the transformative impact of the laureates' contributions in early childhood education. She stated, "The Reach Up program provides children with a better opportunity for an equitable start in learning, education, and life. The laureates have demonstrated how sustained change can be achieved through the confluence of evidence-based insights, partnerships, and local leadership accompanied by well-designed interventions. The impressive global impact of their work is linked to the quality and consistency of their pioneering multidisciplinary research."

Shaping Future Learning at the 2026 Yidan Prize Summit

The laureates for 2026 will participate in three days of engaging discussions at the Yidan Prize Summit, taking place in Hong Kong from December 3 to 5, 2026. Building upon the previous year’s dialogue on the future of education at a crossroads, the summit will focus on the ongoing shift in perception of education not merely as a location but as a catalyst for thriving ecosystems grounded in human relationships, creativity, and profound learning in the artificial intelligence era. The last day will feature a gala ceremony where the laureates for 2026 will receive their awards.

About the Yidan Prize

The Yidan Prize stands as the world’s foremost education accolade, recognizing innovators whose research and development efforts reframe lives and society. It comprises two awards: the Yidan Prize for Research in Education and the Yidan Prize for Education Development, each carrying a gold medal and a total prize of 30 million Hong Kong dollars.

The Yidan Prize Foundation, founded in 2016, strives for a better world through education and brings together a global community of changemakers—researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and philanthropists—working collectively to promote shared standards of excellence and to accelerate large-scale changes.

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