AI4X Rising Star Award

The inaugural AI4X Rising Star Award is presented by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), National University of Singapore (NUS), in conjunction with the AI4X – Accelerate Conference 2026. The award recognizes outstanding early-career researchers within five years of receiving their PhD who have made significant and original contributions in artificial intelligence or AI-enabled research across materials science and engineering.

The award aims to highlight emerging leaders whose work demonstrates scientific excellence, interdisciplinary impact, and strong potential to shape future directions in AI-driven discovery. Eligible candidates may come from academia, research institutes, or industry.

Applications will be reviewed and the winner selected by a Prize Selection Committee.

The award consists of a cash prize of USD 2,000 and will be formally presented at the AI4X – Accelerate Conference 2026. The awardee is required to deliver an invited award talk at the conference.

2026 Prize Selection Committee Members

Prof Sir Konstantin NOVOSELOV

2010 Nobel Laureate for Physics
Director, Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials
National University of Singapore
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Prof TAN Chorh Chuan

Permanent Secretary (National Research and Development)
Permanent Secretary (Public Sector Science & Technology Policy and Plans Office), Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore
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Prof Timothy BALDWIN

Melbourne Laureate Professor
Provost and Professor of Natural Language Processing
Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence
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Prof Kristin PERSSON

Member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering
Daniel M. Tellep Distinguished Professor in Engineering
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
University of California, Berkeley
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Dr. Horst D. SIMON

Gordon Bell Prize (2009)
Director, ADIA Lab
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Application & Eligibility

Eligibility:

  • Applicants must be within five years of receiving their PhD as of 30 April 2026.
  • Applicants must be registered attendees of the AI4X – Accelerate Conference 2026.
  • Applicants must have submitted an abstract for the AI4X – Accelerate Conference 2026.

Application window: (Closed)
Ended on 19 April 2026

Application process:
Applicants are required to complete the online application form at this link , which requires you to:

  • submit a personal statement (in ≤1000-character) describing your scientific achievement in the field of AI for Materials Science and Engineering which merits the AI4X Rising Star Award,
  • upload the following Application Materials in PDF format:
Upload File naming convention
CV CV
AI4X – Accelerate Conference 2026 abstract(s) Abstract 1/2/3
Three representative publication(s) and/or research output Publication 1/2/3

Submit your application via the online form:

Apply for the Rising Star Award

Please prepare your personal statement and PDF application materials before starting the form.