Professor Tuomas Heikkilä of the University of Helsinki has been awarded the Grand Prize of the Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters – the Professor E. J. Nyström’s Prize 2026, worth €50,000 – in recognition of his versatile and pioneering research in medieval studies.

Professor Heikkilä’s career is marked by scholarly originality, success in international competition for research funding, and a strong ability to initiate and lead multidisciplinary research projects that reshape the foundations of his field. Watch the interview with Tuomas Heikkilä (in Finnish).

The Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters awards eight distinguished researchers and three upper secondary school teachers in recognition of their significant contributions to science and education. The total prize sum amounts to €166,000 and includes prizes from the Magnus Ehrnrooth Foundation and the Ruth and Nils-Erik Stenbäck Foundation. The prizes will be presented at the Annual Celebration of the Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters on 29 April 2026.

Other laureates:

Doctor of Science (Technology) Jan Kronqvist, KTH Royal Institute of Technology (The Ruth and Nils-Erik Stenbäck Foundation, €30,000)

Professor Juhana Aunesluoma, University of Helsinki (Professor Theodor Homén’s Prize in the History of Finland, €20,000)

Professor Tanja Kallio, Aalto University (The Magnus Ehrnrooth Prize in Chemistry, €20,000)

PhD Henry Hirvonen, Vanderbilt University (The Prize of the PhD Mikael Björnberg Memorial Fund, €10,000)

PhD Aleksis Vuoksenmaa, University of Helsinki (The Magnus Ehrnrooth Prize for the best doctoral dissertations in mathematics accepted at a Finnish university last year, €5,000)

Doctor of Science (Technology) Kristian Arjas, Aalto University (Magnus Ehrnrooth Prize for the best doctoral dissertations in physics accepted at a Finnish university last year, €5,000)

Doctor of Science (Technology) Santeri Larnimaa, University of Helsinki (Magnus Ehrnrooth Prize for the best doctoral dissertations in chemistry accepted at a Finnish university last year, €5,000)

Master of Arts Frida Crotts, Vasa Övningsskola Upper Secondary School (Teacher prize, €5,000)

PhD Reetta Kariola, Lahden lyseo (Teacher prize, €5,000)

Doctor of Arts Piritta Malinen, Kaurialan lukio (Teacher prize, €5,000)

Each awardee’s school will also receive €2,000 for the development of the relevant subject area.

Further information:
Professor Mats Gyllenberg
Permanent Secretary
+358 (0)50 433 2920
secretarius@scientiarum.fi

Full prize citations are available here