Overview
- The Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek announced on Friday, June 26, 2026, that Hermen Overkleeft and Karin Roelofs won Spinozapremies and Iris Sommer and Claes Holger de Vreese won Stevinpremies.
- Hermen Overkleeft was honoured for protein research that helped enable drugs against cancer and certain rare metabolic and autoimmune diseases.
- Karin Roelofs was recognised for work showing that a brief 'freeze' is an active stress response and for developing a VR training now used by police; she said she will use prize money to expand stress research and test ultrasound brain stimulation.
- Iris Sommer received a Stevinpremie for translating neuroscience into care, including the Voices Clinic and an AI tool that detects subtle speech changes to predict psychotic relapse, and she plans to use funds to secure her multidisciplinary team and clinical programs.
- Each winner receives €1.5 million and a bronze Spinoza statuette, the awards will be presented on October 7, 2026, and recipients said the prizes highlight the value of long-term curiosity-driven funding and more stable careers for young researchers.