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Overview

Supporting breakthrough, innovative technologies that address India’s greatest challenges.

By recognizing and supporting the implementation at scale of high-impact research, the Prize drives innovation in scientific disciplines of importance to India’s societal needs and economic competitiveness.

The Tata Transformation Prize leverages the exceptional potential of scientists in India to address critical national challenges in three categories—Food Security, Sustainability, and Healthcare—and generate improved quality-of-life outcomes across India and beyond.

The Tata Transformation Prize recognizes one Winner in each of the three categories, with INR 2 crores (approximately US$215,000).

The blue and white logo for the Tata Transformation Prize.

Important Dates

  • Applications open: April 27, 2026
  • Applications close: May 29, 2026 (11:59 PM IST)
  • Letters of Reference due: June 3, 2026 (11:59 PM IST)
  • Tata Transformation Prize Ceremony: December 4, 2026

View highlights from the 2024 Tata Transformation Prize Ceremony

“The Tata group has been in the forefront of creating impact in society for more than 150 years. In fact, our founder Jamsetji Tata said that the very purpose of business is the society. The Tata Transformation Prize is one small way in which we will promote science and scientists to solve India’s national problems.”

N. Chandrasekaran
Chairman
Tata Sons

Pathbreaking research takes place in India, resulting in important advances in science around the world. This prize is focused not only on science, but on innovative discoveries that put science to work for the betterment of society.”

Nicholas B. Dirks
President & CEO
The New York Academy of Sciences

Members of the Scientific Advisory Council serve as ambassadors of the Tata Transformation Prize, invited by Tata Sons and The New York Academy of Sciences to reach a broad and diverse pool of applicants and advise on Prize policies.

Winners are selected by a confidential jury, independently chosen by The New York Academy of Sciences, comprising world-leading topical experts from academia, industry, government, and beyond.

Headshot of M. Lakshmi Kantam
M. Lakshmi Kantam, PhD

Professor, Institute of Chemical Technology

Headshot of Prabhu L. Pingali
Prabhu L. Pingali, PhD

Professor, Cornell University
Chair, ICRISAT Governing Board

Headshot of K. Srinath Reddy
K. Srinath Reddy, MD, DM(Card)

Former Head of Cardiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences
Former President, Public Health Foundation of India

Headshot of Karen C. Seto
Karen C. Seto, PhD

Professor, Yale University

Headshot of Soumya Swaminathan
Soumya Swaminathan, MD

Chairperson, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation
Former Chief Scientist, World Health Organization

Headshot of K. VijayRaghavan
K. VijayRaghavan, PhD

Emeritus Professor, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
Former Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India

Headshot of Meg Wirth
Meg Wirth

Founder & President, Maternova

Guidelines & Applications
Prize Details
Eligible Institutions
FAQ

Contact Us

Mamta Tahiliani, PhD
Program Manager, Awards
tatatransformation@nyas.org
+1 (212) 298-3742 (M–F, 9 AM – 5 PM ET)

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