Houston, TX — May 19, 2026 — The Welch Foundation, one of the nation’s leading sources of private funding for basic chemical research, has named Robert S. Langer, David H. Koch Institute Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as the 2026 recipient of the Welch Award in Chemistry, for pioneering discoveries at the intersection of chemistry and medicine that led to understanding how to control the release of therapeutic macromolecules through materials and how to create new tissues and organs.
“Medical advances based on Professor Langer’s discoveries have improved the lives of billions of people worldwide and continue to shape the future of healthcare,” said Gina A. Luna, Chair and Director of The Welch Foundation. “His work exemplifies the mission of the Welch Award by demonstrating how chemical research can lead to profound and lasting benefits for humankind.”
Professor Langer is widely credited with transforming the field of medicine by demonstrating that large biological molecules like peptides, proteins, and nucleic acids can be delivered in a controlled manner using small, polymer- or lipid-based microparticles and nanoparticles. His approach—based on principles derived from chemistry and chemical engineering—overturned conventional wisdom that only low-molecular-weight compounds could be slowly released from polymers. This breakthrough laid the foundation for modern drug delivery technologies using lipids and polymers, including cancer treatments and mRNA-based vaccines. Professor Langer also pioneered the integration of polymer chemistry and biomaterials into the field of tissue engineering, which has led to FDA approval for innovations related to tissue-specific regeneration.
Professor Langer’s early research faced significant skepticism, with multiple grant rejections and limited institutional support. Despite these challenges, he persisted in pursuing unconventional ideas that ultimately redefined the possibilities of biomaterials and drug delivery.
“By demonstrating how to control the transport and release of macromolecules using chemically engineered materials, Professor Langer established the chemical foundation for modern drug delivery systems and biomaterials-based therapies,” said Catherine J. Murphy, Chair of The Welch Foundation Scientific Advisory Board. “The chemical principles he established continue to enable lifesaving advances in areas such as RNA therapeutics, regenerative medicine and biomaterials design, ensuring his impact will extend far into the future.”
Professor Langer earned his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University in 1970 and his Sc.D. from MIT in 1974; both degrees are in chemical engineering. Rather than accept an industry position engineering incremental increases in chemical yields, Professor Langer instead found a postdoctoral-type role engineering biocompatible materials for use in medicine at Harvard Medical School. He first joined MIT’s faculty in 1978 in the nutrition and food sciences department. In 2005, he was named an Institute Professor, the highest honor awarded by MIT, where he leads the largest academic biomedical engineering lab in the world. To translate his research discoveries into accessible healthcare, Professor Langer has launched tens of companies and licensed or sublicensed his patents to over 400 companies worldwide. In addition to his scientific contributions, Professor Langer has “trained it forward” throughout his career, mentoring hundreds of students and postdoctoral fellows who now lead research efforts across academia and industry.
Professor Langer has received more than 220 awards, including the Millennium Technology Prize, Wolf Prize in Chemistry, Kavli Prize in Nanoscience, Priestley Medal (ACS), Dreyfus Prize in Chemical Sciences, Kyoto Prize, Charles Stark Draper Prize, Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences and 45 honorary doctorates. He is one of three living individuals to have received both the U.S. National Medal of Science and the U.S. National Medal of Technology and Innovation. He is a member of the National Academies of Medicine, Engineering, Sciences and Inventors. With about half a million citations, Professor Langer is the most cited engineer in the world.
“I am deeply honored to have been chosen for this award,” Professor Langer said. “When I look at past Welch Award recipients, I see many of the world’s most distinguished chemists. It’s humbling to be included among them.”
The purpose of the Robert A. Welch Award in Chemistry is to foster and encourage basic chemical research and to recognize, in a substantial manner, the value of chemical research contributions for the benefit of humankind as set forth in the will of Robert Alonzo Welch. Upon accepting the award, Professor Langer will receive $500,000 and a gold medallion.
Since 1954, the Houston-based Welch Foundation has contributed over $1.1 billion to the advancement of chemistry through individual research grants, departmental research and equipment grants, endowed chairs, program grants, collaborative pilot grants, and support for other chemistry-related programs in Texas. In addition to the Welch Award in Chemistry, which recognizes achievement in basic chemical research internationally, the Foundation also bestows the annual Norman Hackerman Award in Chemical Research to early-career Texas scientists. For more information, visit www.welch1.org.
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Media Contact:
Carla Atmar
Director of Grant Programs
The Welch Foundation
atmar@welch1.org
Written by Veronica Tremblay, Science Writer, Editor & Research Communications Consultant