February 25, 2026 | New at BCG

New Global Award Recognizes Research Teams Using Artificial Intelligence to Advance Solutions in Health, Sustainability, and Manufacturing

BOSTON—Boston Consulting Group (BCG) today announced that the BCG X AI Science Institute has partnered with Nature Awards, part of Springer Nature, one of the leading publishers of research in the world, to launch the AI for Discovery Award. The new global award will recognize research teams harnessing artificial intelligence to accelerate solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

AI is redefining how scientific discovery happens. Across sectors, it’s speeding up research and development timelines, opening new possibilities, and enabling researchers to address urgent problems with greater precision and scale. Reflecting this transformation, the award will highlight work across three key areas: health, sustainability, and manufacturing.

“Partnering with Nature Awards allows the BCG X AI Science Institute the opportunity to stand alongside researchers who are changing how science is done,” said Adi Zolotov, managing director and partner at BCG and global leader of the BCG X AI Science Institute. “AI is opening entirely new ways to explore complex problems, but translating those breakthroughs into real-world impact is still incredibly hard. We want to help close that gap, bringing together scientific rigor and industry insight so these hypotheses can truly make a difference.”

“Researchers today are navigating an extraordinary moment, as advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning rapidly reshape what’s possible in science. We’re excited to partner with the BCG X AI Science Institute to support the teams accelerating discovery through these technologies, and we look forward to receiving applications from research groups worldwide,” commented Richard Hughes, VP Publishing at Nature.

Applications for the AI for Discovery award are now open. Eligible research teams are encouraged to submit their work for consideration in this inaugural 2026 cycle. Four finalists, chosen by an independent panel of judges, will be announced in November. Each will receive a $10,000 development grant and access to an online training program delivered by BCG X AI Science Institute consultants. Of the four finalists, one overall winner will also receive tailored coaching from BCG X experts to help shape its research strategy and scale its impact.

This new award is part of the wider Nature Awards portfolio, which celebrates scientific excellence and helps amplify the real-world impact of research. It reflects Springer Nature’s ongoing commitment to supporting the global research community as it explores how AI can accelerate discovery, strengthen collaboration, and responsibly advance knowledge. For more information, see here.

Media Contact:
Eric Gregoire
gregoire.eric@bcg.com
        

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Springer Nature is one of the leading publishers of research in the world. We publish the largest number of journals and books and are a pioneer in open research. Through our leading brands, trusted for more than 180 years, we provide technology-enabled products, platforms and services that help researchers to uncover new ideas and share their discoveries, health professionals to stay at the forefront of medical science, and educators to advance learning. We are proud to be part of progress, working together with the communities we serve to share knowledge and bring greater understanding to the world. For more information, please visit about.springernature.com and @SpringerNature.