Featured Stories
National Academy of Medicine Honors Three Members for Outstanding Service
WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 -- The National Academy of Medicine issued the following news:
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National Academy of Medicine Honors Three Members for Outstanding Service
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At its annual meeting today, the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) honored three members for their outstanding service. The honorees are Susan J. Curry, dean emeritus and distinguished professor of health management and policy at the University of Iowa; Claire D. Brindis, emerita director of the Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco; and John R. Ball, former executive vice president
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 -- The National Academy of Medicine issued the following news:
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National Academy of Medicine Honors Three Members for Outstanding Service
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At its annual meeting today, the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) honored three members for their outstanding service. The honorees are Susan J. Curry, dean emeritus and distinguished professor of health management and policy at the University of Iowa; Claire D. Brindis, emerita director of the Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco; and John R. Ball, former executive vice presidentof the American College of Physicians.
Curry received the Walsh McDermott Medal, which recognizes a member for distinguished service to the NAM and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine over an extended period. A national leader in preventive medicine and public health, Curry has made foundational contributions to tobacco cessation, health behavior change, and evidence-based prevention, while also serving at the highest levels of academic and government leadership.
Elected to the NAM in 2010, Curry's service to the NAM and National Academies has spanned more than two decades, during which she has strengthened governance, safeguarded scientific integrity, guided influential consensus work, and remained steadfast during moments of national urgency and institutional transition. In addition to most recently serving as co-chair of the National Research Council's Report Review Committee from 2023-2026 and on its Governing Board from 2020-2024, Curry was on the Executive Committee of the NAM Council from 2019-2025. Curry has also been a member of three consensus study committees as well as the Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice from 2014-2020 and the National Cancer Policy Board from 1999-2002.
Brindis received the Adam Yarmolinsky Medal, which is awarded to a member from a discipline outside the health and medical sciences. Her distinguished career has focused on program evaluation and the translation of research into policy at the local, state, and national levels, with a focus on ameliorating the impacts of social, health, and economic disparities, especially for women, young adults, and adolescents.
Brindis was elected to the NAM in 2011. She is currently a member of the Center for Health, People, and Places committee and chair of the Division Committee for the Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education. Brindis served on the NAM Council from 2018-2024, including as its vice chair from 2021-2024. Over the past 20 years, Brindis has dedicated her time as a member of seven consensus study committees, including the Committee on Preventive Services for Women, whose recommendations on breast and cervical care screening and free breast pumps for lactating women were adopted in the Affordable Care Act. Other committee work has focused on improving health outcomes for children with disabilities and reducing and preventing teen motor vehicle crashes, among other studies related to improving outcomes for mothers and children.
Ball is the recipient of the David Rall Medal, which is given to a member who has demonstrated distinguished leadership as chair of a study committee or other such activity. Ball has chaired multiple consensus committees, such as Improving Diagnosis in Health Care, Evaluation of Biomarkers and Surrogate Endpoints in Chronic Disease, Improving Breast Imaging Quality Standards, and Essential Health Benefits: Balancing Coverage and Cost. Ball's expertise, diplomacy, and motivational leadership have contributed to effective study processes and elevated the reports he has chaired. For example, Improving Diagnosis in Health Care is one of the most downloaded reports of the National Academies and has spurred substantive research programs on diagnostic error, including a new initiative supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and an $85 million initiative on diagnostic excellence from the Moore Foundation. Elected to the NAM in 1991, Ball's service to the National Academies includes serving as a report reviewer.
"These members exemplify the highest standards of leadership and impact through their sustained contributions to the National Academies and their respective fields," said National Academy of Medicine President Monica M. Bertagnolli. "Their dedication to translating research into meaningful policy and practice and guiding influential consensus studies has strengthened the institution, advanced public health, and improved lives."
The National Academy of Medicine, established in 1970 as the Institute of Medicine, is an independent organization of eminent professionals from diverse fields including health and medicine; the natural, social, and behavioral sciences; and beyond. It serves alongside the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering as an adviser to the nation and the international community. Through its domestic and global initiatives, the NAM works to address critical issues in health, medicine, and related policy and inspire positive action across sectors. The NAM collaborates closely with its peer academies and other divisions within the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
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Original text here: https://nam.edu/news-and-insights/nam-honors-members-service-2026/ (TNSmrp)
Dominican Republic Explores the Potential of Rare Earths in the Avila Mining Fiscal Reserve With IDB Support
WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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Dominican Republic Explores the Potential of Rare Earths in the Avila Mining Fiscal Reserve with IDB Support
October 16, 2026
WASHINGTON -- The Board of Executive Directors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved $16.1 million in financing to assess the potential development of the rare earths in the Avila Mining Fiscal Reserve (RFMA) in the Dominican Republic.
The program will finance a comprehensive set of technical, environmental, social, economic, financial, legal, and infrastructure
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
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Dominican Republic Explores the Potential of Rare Earths in the Avila Mining Fiscal Reserve with IDB Support
October 16, 2026
WASHINGTON -- The Board of Executive Directors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved $16.1 million in financing to assess the potential development of the rare earths in the Avila Mining Fiscal Reserve (RFMA) in the Dominican Republic.
The program will finance a comprehensive set of technical, environmental, social, economic, financial, legal, and infrastructurestudies to prepare a prefeasibility study of the RFMA rare earths deposit.
The program is part of the IDB Group's regional initiative America en el Centro, which promotes sustainable development, resilience, and integration in Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic. The program is also aligned with IDB LAC Minerals, which seeks to transform the region's mineral wealth into sustainable growth by promoting secure and responsible value chains.
The operation will strengthen the government's institutional capacity to generate technical information and manage priority mineral resource projects.
The presence of relevant geological indications and the strategic importance of rare earths present an opportunity that requires rigorous assessment. Determining the deposit's viability and its potential contribution to the economy and public revenues will require a deeper understanding of the resource, as well as stronger institutional capacity to assess and manage projects of this nature.
In this context, the operation will strengthen the technical and management capacities of the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) and Empresa Minera Dominicana, S.A. (EMIDOM). Both institutions will have access to reliable and robust information to assess the deposit, inform strategic decision-making, and manage mineral resource projects in accordance with international standards.
The program will also strengthen environmental and social safeguards and promote a development model that combines responsible mining with sustainability and environmental stewardship.
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About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), a member of the IDB Group, is devoted to improving lives across Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 1959, the Bank works with the region's public sector to design and enable impactful, innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development. Leveraging financing, technical expertise, and knowledge, it promotes growth and well-being in 26 countries.
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Original text here: https://www.iadb.org/en/news/dominican-republic-explores-potential-rare-earths-avila-mining-fiscal-reserve-idb-support
SBA's Million Dollar Pitch Competition to Stream on Prime Video and YouTube
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 -- The Small Business Administration issued the following news release:
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SBA's Million Dollar Pitch Competition to Stream on Prime Video and YouTube
Five entrepreneurs will take the stage to compete, alongside Nicki Minaj, Grant Cardone, Joe Gebbia, and Dean Cain on October 20th
October 15, 2026
WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that its Million Dollar Pitch Competition will stream starting October 20 on Prime Video and YouTube. The high-stakes contest, hosted by Dean Cain and judged by celebrity entrepreneurs Nicki Minaj,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 -- The Small Business Administration issued the following news release:
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SBA's Million Dollar Pitch Competition to Stream on Prime Video and YouTube
Five entrepreneurs will take the stage to compete, alongside Nicki Minaj, Grant Cardone, Joe Gebbia, and Dean Cain on October 20th
October 15, 2026
WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that its Million Dollar Pitch Competition will stream starting October 20 on Prime Video and YouTube. The high-stakes contest, hosted by Dean Cain and judged by celebrity entrepreneurs Nicki Minaj,Grant Cardone, and Joe Gebbia, was taped before a live audience in Washington, D.C., where five finalists pitched their small businesses for a chance to win a portion of a $1 million cash prize pool funded by Clover Network, Inc. (Clover). The show includes a special appearance by President Donald J. Trump and recalls the vision he shared with the nation during The Apprentice, an award-winning show that celebrated the tenacity and vision required to compete and win in business.
"The Trump SBA is thrilled to announce that the Million Dollar Pitch Competition will stream on Prime Video and YouTube reaching audiences across our country and around the world, celebrating 250 years of free enterprise, American exceptionalism, and the hardworking small businesses that make it possible," said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. "Competing nationally to reach the stage, five exceptional entrepreneurs put everything on the line to earn a share of a $1 million cash prize pool - showcasing the grit, vision, and sacrifice of Main Street leaders who believe in the American Dream. The SBA is proud to highlight the importance and contributions of our nation's small businesses, while inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs, risk-takers, and innovators to build their future."
Launched as part of the SBA's Freedom 250 celebration, the Million Dollar Pitch Competition marks the culmination of a nationwide entrepreneurship contest created to honor the innovation, grit, and economic impact of America's Main Street businesses. The five finalists put their business acumen, growth strategies, and vision to the test - while sharing the personal stories of resilience and sacrifice that brought them to the national stage. The special gives audiences across America and around the world a window into the families, workers, and communities that power our nation's economy from jobs to innovation and growth in every state.
The following national finalists are featured in the Million Dollar Pitch Competition finale:
* Paul Melrose, Compotech, Inc. (Brewer, Maine)
* Lisa and George Winton, Winton Machine (Suwanee, Georgia)
* Dean, Ryan, and Andrew Sonquist, Plas-Tech Tooling Inc. (Garner, Iowa)
* Marshall Sasse, Red River (Gillette, Wyoming)
* Hernan Luis y Prado, VetPowered LLC (San Diego, California)
The finalists competed for five cash prizes funded by Clover:
* First Place: $400,000
* Second Place: $250,000
* Third Place: $150,000
* Fourth Place: $125,000
* Fifth Place: $75,000
To learn more about the Million Dollar Pitch Competition, including more information about how to view the streaming special on Prime Video and YouTube, visit www.sba.gov/freedom250.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
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Original text here: https://legacy.sba.gov/article/2026/10/15/sbas-million-dollar-pitch-competition-stream-prime-video-youtube
SBA Issues Historic Guidance to Recognize America's Content Creator Economy
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 -- The Small Business Administration issued the following news release:
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SBA Issues Historic Guidance to Recognize America's Content Creator Economy
Agency clarifies that qualifying content creators are classified under NAICS 5121 for SBA program eligibility
October 15, 2026
WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the first federal small-business classification guidance specifically recognizing qualifying content creators within the SBA's lending and contracting framework. Following SBA's recent small business size standards proposal,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 -- The Small Business Administration issued the following news release:
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SBA Issues Historic Guidance to Recognize America's Content Creator Economy
Agency clarifies that qualifying content creators are classified under NAICS 5121 for SBA program eligibility
October 15, 2026
WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the first federal small-business classification guidance specifically recognizing qualifying content creators within the SBA's lending and contracting framework. Following SBA's recent small business size standards proposal,the agency clarified that the nation's 27 million creator-led businesses are classified under NAICS 5121 -- Motion Picture and Video Industries -- for purposes of SBA program eligibility. The clarification reflects the robust growth and evolving business models of America's creator economy.
"American's creators are entrepreneurs who build businesses from original ideas, unique audiences, and content into thriving small businesses that create jobs," said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. "For the first time, the SBA is recognizing these enterprising content creators within our small-business framework. This historic guidance cuts through outdated classifications and gives qualifying creators greater clarity as they build businesses, create jobs, and compete and build for the future."
"Content creators are small businesses, and always have been," said Daniel Abas, Founder and President of the Creators Guild of America. "Thanks to the vision of the SBA and its leadership, the federal government has unequivocally affirmed this status, and millions of creators stand to benefit. We look forward to our members taking full advantage of the access to capital that the SBA's guidance provides, and are proud that the professional infrastructure established by the CGA has contributed to this outcome. Committed creators like Shira Lazar, founder of Creators 4 Mental Health and a member of our Advisory Board, and Avi Gandhi, CGA's Chair of Government Advocacy, played instrumental roles in advancing this effort. This breakthrough is both a testament to their hard work, and a major step forward in the CGA's mission to help creators."
"With more than 8.5 million American small businesses on TikTok U.S., millions of people turn to our platform every day to discover new experiences, support local favorites, and connect with thriving entrepreneurs, said Nicole Nason, Head of Public Policy at TikTok U.S. "This historic guidance places the SBA at the forefront of the creator economy and establishes clear pathways for modern entrepreneurs to expand their reach, create jobs, and fuel local economies."
Content creator businesses have long been eligible for SBA support when they meet applicable program requirements, but creators previously lacked clear guidance on the NAICS code that best reflects their integrated business models. Because today's creators often produce, edit, distribute, market, and monetize original audiovisual content across multiple platforms and revenue streams, SBA is providing clearer guidance to help them identify the industry group most appropriate for SBA program-eligibility purposes.
The SBA's proposed size standards adopt revisions to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) to simplify the size standards for related motion-picture, video-production, post-production, and distribution activities under NAICS 5121 -- Motion Picture and Video Industries. Creator-led businesses whose principal activity falls within this umbrella--including filmmakers, video producers, podcasters, streamers, gamers, digital publishers, social-media entrepreneurs, creative agencies, and other businesses that produce and distribute original audiovisual content--should begin with NAICS 5121 and identify the applicable six-digit NAICS code within that industry group that best matches their primary business activity.
The SBA also received comments on its proposed size standards rule requesting the issuance of an industry exception for content creators, which would permanently house creator-led businesses. The agency will consider those comments, along with all public feedback submitted on the proposed rule, after the public comment period closes on November 20th.
The SBA is helping qualifying creator-led businesses determine their small-business status and navigate opportunities for SBA-backed financing and other agency resources. The action advances the Trump Administration's commitment to reducing unnecessary regulatory complexity, modernizing government, and ensuring federal programs reflect the evolving needs of America's entrepreneurs.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
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Original text here: https://legacy.sba.gov/article/2026/10/15/sba-issues-historic-guidance-recognize-americas-content-creator-economy
National Museum of African Art Announces Over $2 Million Gift and Bequeathed Collection of 19th- and 20th-Century African Artworks
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
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National Museum of African Art Announces Over $2 Million Gift and Bequeathed Collection of 19th- and 20th-Century African Artworks
Donation From Former Michigan Sen. Jack Faxon Supports Collections Care and Development
October 15, 2026
The Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art has announced a donation from former Michigan senator Jack Faxon (1936-2020). The donation includes a bequeathed collection of 100 19th- and 20th-century African artworks that Faxon acquired over the course of his life
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
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National Museum of African Art Announces Over $2 Million Gift and Bequeathed Collection of 19th- and 20th-Century African Artworks
Donation From Former Michigan Sen. Jack Faxon Supports Collections Care and Development
October 15, 2026
The Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art has announced a donation from former Michigan senator Jack Faxon (1936-2020). The donation includes a bequeathed collection of 100 19th- and 20th-century African artworks that Faxon acquired over the course of his lifeas well as over $2 million in endowment funds to support the care and development of the museum's permanent collection, which now includes the Jack Faxon Collection of African Art.
The donation is one of the most significant in the museum's history.
"We thank Jack Faxon for this extraordinary gift," said John K. Lapiana, director of the National Museum of African Art. "Senator Faxon set an example through leadership in the arts and education, and he understood the value that these fields bring to public life. We will honor his life and legacy by sharing his collection with audiences on the National Mall and beyond. His remarkable generosity will help us fulfill our mission to collect and preserve the arts of Africa for future generations."
The Faxon gift builds on the National Museum of African Art's more than 60-year history of encouraging dialogue and connection across cultural boundaries and reflecting the beauty and complexity of African art. The announcement comes alongside Smithsonian Books' publication of African Art Works, a book that connects the Faxon collection to the museum's, written by curator Kevin D. Dumouchelle--who also curated the upcoming exhibition "New & Now: A Decade Building the National Collection of African Art," which will feature an object from the Faxon collection alongside others works that the African Art Museum has acquired over the past 10 years.
"We honor the world by what we contribute to it," said Faxon in a 2013 episode of his documentary series The Collection, which he created to share his views on life and art.
"The Faxon Collection is already at work making connections with other artworks in the museum's care, while Jack's legacy gift greatly will increase our capacity to extend that conversation long into the future," Dumouchelle said.
About Jack Faxon
Faxon (1936-2020) served 15 years in the Michigan legislature, both in the house and senate, and was the youngest delegate elected to Michigan's last constitutional convention in 1961.
He began his multifaceted career as a civics and social studies teacher, eventually becoming headmaster of a series of Detroit-based schools focused on immersive language teaching. In 1968, he helped found the City School of Detroit, later known as the International School, and played a key role in shaping a globally oriented curriculum.
Faxon secured state funding for numerous arts institutions. He created the Michigan Council on the Arts in 1966 and helped make Michigan known for having a pro-arts focus in the 1970s and 1980s.
He was also an artist himself, primarily an abstract painter, who exhibited his work in Detroit and Lansing, Michigan.
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About the National Museum of African Art
The Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art is the only national museum in the United States dedicated to the collection, conservation, study and exhibition of Africa's arts across time and media. The museum's collection of nearly 13,000 artworks spans more than 1,000 years of African history and includes a variety of media from across the continent.
Beginning as a private educational institution in Washington, D.C., in 1964 to promote cross-cultural understanding, the museum celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2024. Founded by Warren M. Robbins, a former U.S. Foreign Service officer, the museum opened with Robbins' personal collection in a Capitol Hill townhouse that had once been the home of Frederick Douglass. Robbins was inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and motivated by a desire to share how African art was relevant to American audiences. The museum joined the Smithsonian Institution in 1979 and has continued to expand its vision and collection for six decades.
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Original text here: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/national-museum-african-art-announces-over-2-million-gift-and-bequeathed
Inter-American Development Bank: 'Not All Dollars Are Equal - The Composition of School Spending and Student Outcomes'
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 (TNSLrpt) -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following white paper on Oct. 16, 2026, entitled "Not All Dollars Are Equal: The Composition of School Spending and Student Outcomes."
Here are excerpts:
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This paper analyzes the association between the composition of school spending and various measures of school effectiveness. Using audited financial accounts for the universe of publicly funded urban schools in Chile between 2015 and 2022, disaggregated into six expenditure categories and 37 subcategories, we link spending patterns to school value-added measures
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 (TNSLrpt) -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following white paper on Oct. 16, 2026, entitled "Not All Dollars Are Equal: The Composition of School Spending and Student Outcomes."
Here are excerpts:
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This paper analyzes the association between the composition of school spending and various measures of school effectiveness. Using audited financial accounts for the universe of publicly funded urban schools in Chile between 2015 and 2022, disaggregated into six expenditure categories and 37 subcategories, we link spending patterns to school value-added measuresof test scores, attendance, chronic absenteeism, and dropout. Aggregate spending per student is only weakly associated with school effectiveness. In contrast, spending composition matters substantially: we reject equal associations across expenditure categories for all outcomes, and no category is associated with all four dimensions of effectiveness. Personnel spending is associated with higher test-score value added but not attendance, whereas operations spending is associated with higher attendance and lower chronic absenteeism but not with test score gains. Infrastructure spending is associated with both learning and attendance outcomes. We also find considerable heterogeneity across school types and student populations. The categories prioritized by Chiles targeted equity subsidy, quality programs and student well-being, are associated with higher test-score value added primarily in the most disadvantaged schools, while operations and infrastructure expenditures exhibit opposite associations in public and private voucher schools. The estimated associations are modest in magnitude: a one-standard-deviation increase in the most predictive spending categories corresponds to 2 to 7 percent of the crossschool dispersion in value added. Nevertheless, the findings have important policy implications because education funding policies typically target specific expenditure categories rather than overall spending levels. Overall, the results suggest that the composition of spending is more informative than expenditure levels alone and that evaluating education finance policies using a single outcome or pooled estimates can understate the benefits of targeted investments.
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View full text here: publications.iadb.org/en/not-all-dollars-are-equal-composition-school-spending-and-student-outcomes
[Category: IADB]
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics: Astronomer Liam Connor Awarded Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, Oct. 16 -- The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics issued the following news release:
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Astronomer Liam Connor Awarded Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering
The 20 early-career scientists, mathematicians, and engineers will each receive $985,834 over five years to pursue their research.
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Cambridge, MA (Oct. 15, 2026)---Astronomer Liam Connor of the Center for Astrophysics Harvard & Smithsonian has been named a 2026 Packard Fellow for Science and Engineering by the David & Lucile Packard Foundation. He will receive $985,834 in unrestricted funds
... Show Full Article
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, Oct. 16 -- The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics issued the following news release:
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Astronomer Liam Connor Awarded Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering
The 20 early-career scientists, mathematicians, and engineers will each receive $985,834 over five years to pursue their research.
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Cambridge, MA (Oct. 15, 2026)---Astronomer Liam Connor of the Center for Astrophysics Harvard & Smithsonian has been named a 2026 Packard Fellow for Science and Engineering by the David & Lucile Packard Foundation. He will receive $985,834 in unrestricted fundsover five years to pursue his research.
Connor is assistant professor in the Harvard Department of Astronomy and a cosmologist working on fast radio bursts (FRBs), mysterious pulses of radio waves that come from galaxies billions of light years beyond the Milky Way. In addition to the enigma of their physical origin, FRBs can be used as a cosmic beacon, probing matter that is otherwise invisible. To understand these sources and apply them to cosmology, Connor's lab builds radio telescope arrays comprised of many small antennas, acting as a single phased array.
This year's Packard Fellows class features 20 early-career scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. Each year, the Foundation invites 50 universities to nominate two faculty members for consideration. The Packard Fellowships Advisory Panel, a group of 12 internationally recognized scientists and engineers, evaluates the nominations and recommends Fellows for approval by the Packard Foundation Board of Trustees.
"These scientists, engineers, and mathematicians are asking ambitious questions about our bodies, our planet, and the technologies shaping our future," said Nancy Lindborg, President and CEO of the Packard Foundation. "At a time of significant uncertainty in the research landscape, flexible, long-term support for early-career researchers matters more than ever."
Since 1988, the Packard Fellowships for Science and Engineering have supported transformative work by providing unrestricted funds, giving Fellows the freedom to follow the science wherever it leads. Fellows decide what their research needs, whether that is new equipment, another researcher on the team, travel to a conference, or child care during the demanding early years of running a lab. That flexibility lets Fellows test novel ideas, follow unexpected findings, and lead research that drives real-world impact.
The Foundation expanded its support for Fellows this year, announcing an additional increase in Fellowship awards beginning with the 2027 class, providing Fellows with greater support to pursue their research. Earlier in 2026, the Foundation also created the Packard Fellows Emergency Relief Fund, a $3.3 million rapid-response effort administered by the Science Philanthropy Alliance that helped 42 Fellows sustain their research teams through disruptions in federal funding.
The other recipients of the 2026 Packard Fellowships for Science and Engineering are:
Christopher Anderson, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Soumitra Athavale, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles
Andrea Bajcsy, Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University
Kurtis Carsch, Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin
Henri Drake, Department of Earth System Science, University of California, Irvine
Kareem El-Badry, Division of Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy, California Institute of Technology
Moises Exposito-Alonso, Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley
Youhong (Nancy) Guo, Department of Applied Physical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
John Hickey, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University
Christina Hueschen, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego
Shari Liu, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University
Tyler Mefford, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara
Noah Mitchell, Department of Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology, University of Chicago
Sarah Peluse, Department of Mathematics, Stanford University
Jose Roque, Department of Chemistry, Princeton University
Jessica Stark, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Nathanan Tantivasadakarn, C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics, Stony Brook University
Yonglong Xie, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University
Kenji Yasuda, School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University
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About the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian is a collaboration between Harvard and the Smithsonian designed to ask, and ultimately answer, humanity's greatest unresolved questions about the nature of the universe. The CfA is headquartered in Cambridge, MA, with research facilities across the U.S. and around the world.
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Original text here: https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/news/astronomer-liam-connor-awarded-packard-fellowship-science-and-engineering
