The Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance, a program of The Pershing Square Foundation, has announced 13 winners of the 2026 Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize, marking a transformative expansion of the program from a regional initiative into a national platform supporting the next generation of cancer researchers.
This year’s prize represents $9 million in new funding, with $750,000 grants distributed to each awardee. The Alliance doubled the number of prize recipients after broadening eligibility beyond the New York metropolitan area to institutions across the United States. Over the past 13 years, the Alliance has awarded $58 million to 90 scientists at 24 institutions. The grants are designed to empower investigators early in their independent careers, enabling them to pursue bold and high-impact projects at a stage when traditional funding is lacking.
The 13 winners represent institutions including UCLA, the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Columbia University, UC San Diego, Boston Children’s Hospital, Stanford University, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the University of Utah, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, UT Southwestern, and MIT. Their research spans immunotherapy innovation, AI-driven protein design, RNA-targeting therapies, and novel approaches to cancer drug development and delivery.
In addition to financial support, the Alliance provides prize winners with opportunities to present their work to scientific and business audiences, encouraging collaboration and helping to bridge the gap between academia and industry.
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“The Prize asks scientists to pursue bold and unconventional ideas that have the potential to transform the field of research and treatment of cancer, and we are inspired by the work of this year’s cohort.”
Bill Ackman, Co-Trustee, The Pershing Square Foundation and CEO, Pershing Square
“As the Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize expands nationwide, this year’s recipients reflect the extraordinary depth of early-career cancer research across the United States.”
Olivia Tournay Flatto, PhD, President, The Pershing Square Foundation and Co-Founder and Executive Director, Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance
“We are confident that with the passion, creativity, and insights we’ve seen from this group of scientists, they will make discoveries that will have a lasting impact for the patients for whom our Foundation fights.”
Evan Sohn, Vice President, Sohn Conference Foundation
