MIT Technology Review is looking for 35 people under 35 who are actually changing things. Not talking about change—building it. The nomination window is open now, and it's free to enter.
If you've spent the last few years solving a real problem—whether that's a breakthrough in disease treatment, a new way to capture carbon, or an algorithm that does something nobody thought possible—this might be for you. Or if you know someone doing that work, you can nominate them. The submission deadline is 5 p.m. ET on January 20, 2026.
Who they're looking for
The competition isn't about flashy announcements or venture capital raised. MIT's editors are focused on people who've made a clear scientific or technical advance—something that moves the needle beyond their own lab or startup. Past honorees have worked across climate tech, AI development, robotics, and biomedical innovation. The common thread is that their work has ripple effects. A breakthrough in one field that turns out to reshape another.
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Start Your News DetoxThe nomination process is straightforward. You'll describe what the person has done, why it matters, and how it might reshape things beyond their immediate field. That's it. If you make it through to semifinal round (notifications in early March), there's a fuller application to complete. From there, MIT's editorial team and a panel of expert judges select the final 35.
This isn't a vanity list. Being named changes things for the people on it—it opens doors, attracts collaborators, and signals to funders that this person is worth watching. For the rest of us, it's a useful map of where the actual momentum is building.
If you have questions, reach out to [email protected]. Nominations close January 20.
