Meet the 2026 Ig Nobel Prize winners
The 2026 Ig Nobel Prizes honored quirky scientific research, including studies on splash-free urinals and the aerodynamics of nose-blowing. The ceremony has moved from Boston to Zurich due to safety concerns regarding international travel to the US.
Why it matters
The relocation of this long-standing event highlights growing international perceptions of the United States as a less accessible or safe destination for global scientific collaboration.
To laugh, then to think Meet the 2026 Ig Nobel Prize winners The annual award ceremony features miniature operas, scientific demos, and “24/7″ lectures.
2 Ig Nobel Master of Ceremonies Marc Abraham. Credit: YouTube/Improbable Research Ig Nobel Master of Ceremonies Marc Abraham. Credit: YouTube/Improbable Research Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav It’s that time of year again, when we learn which lucky scientists are among the winners of the Ig Nobel Prizes. This year, the prizes honor research on designing the perfect splash-free urinal; using mosquito proboscises to “necroprint” tiny nozzles; studying composition rates of buried cotton underwear; and the aerodynamics of a healthy nose-blow, among other highlights.
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