The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is delighted to announce the Shaw Prize as a lead supporter of the IAU’s Asia Pacific Regional Meeting in 2026 (APRIM2026) for HKD $1 million (~111,000 Euro). Taking place from 4-8 May 2026 in Hong Kong, and expected to attract up to 1,000 of the world’s top astronomers, space scientists, engineers, educators, and policy makers, this tremendous donation from the Shaw Prize significantly impacts on astronomy in the region.
Astronomy is an emerging scientific discipline in many countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Although it is taught and researched, securing adequate funding can be challenging. Students and early-career researchers, in particular, may not have access to local funding to enable them to attend professional conferences. Attending conferences such as APRIM2026 alongside scientific leaders, including Nobel and Shaw Prize winners, can be life-changing and career-defining. Thanks to this tremendous support from the Shaw Prize, travel grants will be available to professional astronomers (including MSc and PhD students) working and living in the Asia-Pacific region, enabling them to attend APRIM2026.
Shaw Prize Council Chair Prof. Kenneth Young says:
The Shaw Prize Foundation is pleased to lend its support to the IAU Asia Pacific Regional Meeting, affirming our enduring commitment to the advancement of scientific discovery and international collaboration in astronomy.
IAU President Prof. Willy Benz says:
The Asia-Pacific region is home to cutting-edge astronomy research of global significance. The IAU is delighted that this funding will allow many more early-career researchers to engage with world-class science. We are honoured to receive such substantial funding from the Shaw Prize and are extremely grateful for their ongoing commitment to promoting scientific excellence.
LOC and SOC chair Prof. Quentin Parker says:
Hong Kong is honoured and privileged to have been chosen as the host city for the prestigious IAU Asia Pacific Regional meeting. We are equally honoured and grateful that the Shaw Prize Foundation, which originated in our city, has also chosen to support our meeting with their very generous HKD $1million sponsorship. This vital funding will help ensure the success of this meeting and ensure the Shaw Foundation is internationally recognised for its major support of science in general, but astronomy and space science in particular here.
The IAU and APRIM would like to sincerely thank the Shaw Prize for their outstanding commitment to astronomy research.