WASHINGTON — The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has unveiled the 2025 recipients of the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications, a distinguished honor presented in partnership with Schmidt Sciences. These awards celebrate the work of scientists, journalists, and professional communicators who have made exceptional contributions to public understanding of science, engineering, and medicine through innovative and engaging storytelling.

This year, 24 individuals were recognized across eight distinct categories, representing a diverse range of disciplines and communication mediums. The honors include nine awards for research scientists, nine for science journalists, and six for science communicators. Within each category, one recipient received a $40,000 grand prize, while two others were granted $20,000 awards, bringing the total award amount to $640,000. The winners will be officially celebrated at a special event scheduled for November 11–14, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Megan L. Ranney, dean of the Yale School of Public Health and chair of the selection committee, expressed deep admiration for the awardees’ ability to connect complex scientific ideas with broad audiences. “These honorees exemplify how creativity and clarity can make science, engineering, and medicine accessible to everyone,” she said. “Their work bridges disciplines and communities, reminding us that knowledge gains its full power only when shared. They don’t just explain—they inspire, showing how science influences our everyday lives and collective future. It is an honor to recognize such remarkable communicators who continue to ignite curiosity and connection.”

Marcia McNutt, president of the National Academy of Sciences, emphasized the crucial role science communication plays in fostering inclusion and understanding. “Science offers hope for a brighter future for all,” McNutt noted. “But to ensure everyone benefits from innovation and discovery, we must welcome more people into the conversation. The communicators we’re honoring this year are doing exactly that—meeting audiences where they are and empowering them with knowledge to make sound decisions for themselves and their communities. Their work represents the very best of what science communication can achieve.”

Wendy Schmidt, co-founder of Schmidt Sciences, reflected on the broader impact of clear, trustworthy communication in today’s complex information landscape. “Science communication can be the difference between comprehension and confusion, between misinformation and truth—and in health-related issues, it can even mean the difference between life and death,” Schmidt said. “At a time when both science and journalism face funding challenges and shrinking talent pools, supporting passionate and persistent storytellers like these awardees is more vital than ever. Their dedication lights the path toward greater understanding and the empowerment that knowledge brings.”

The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications were created to highlight the vital connection between science and society. By recognizing exceptional communicators who blend accuracy with accessibility, the awards underscore the idea that complex research only reaches its true potential when it informs and inspires the public.

Over the years, the initiative has become a beacon for those who translate intricate discoveries into narratives that resonate beyond academic and technical communities. The 2025 honorees join a growing network of professionals devoted to bridging the gap between research and real-world impact. Their contributions—ranging from multimedia journalism and public engagement to innovative educational content—demonstrate how effective storytelling can expand scientific literacy and inspire a new generation of thinkers.

As the world faces challenges from public health crises to climate change, the role of science communicators continues to grow in importance. These awards not only honor individual excellence but also reinforce a collective commitment to transparency, understanding, and global progress.

This year’s recipients exemplify the mission of the National Academies and Schmidt Sciences: to ensure that science remains both a source of knowledge and a catalyst for hope. By turning data into dialogue and research into relatable stories, they remind us that science is not just a field of study—it is a shared human endeavor that connects us all.