TEHRAN: The Mustafa (PBUH) Prize Scientific Committee has released the Rasul (PBUH) Medal shortlist, selecting 24 finalists across six scientific fields for the award’s second edition.
Life and medical science and technology account for eight finalists, while engineering, mathematics and computer science each have four. Chemistry and physics each have two finalists.
After evaluating an initial pool of more than 100,000 candidates, the committee narrowed the field to the shortlisted researchers. Winners in each category receive a medal, a certificate and $10,000.
Previously known as the Young Scientist Medal, the award recognises scientific work by researchers under 40 who reside in Islamic countries.
For the 2026 edition, candidates must have been born in 1987 or later. Researchers cannot apply directly. Instead, universities, research centres or scientific academies must nominate them.
Meanwhile, scientific committee head Hossein Naderi-Manesh said hosting ceremonies in different Islamic countries could draw on scientific capacity across those nations.
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Mustafa (PBUH) Prize laureates Professors Ugur Sahin, Omid Farrokhzad and Vahab Mirrokni fund the medal through endowments drawn from their prize money.
The inaugural edition also took place alongside the sixth Mustafa Prize in 2025. Winners are expected to be announced in late October, with the award ceremony scheduled for November or December 2026.
 Medal shortlist 24 finalists across six fields. Winners receive $10,000 each, results expected late October ceremony later.){kind=link}