Francis Halzen awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics#
to its Member, Francis Halzens MAE, a Belgian astro-physicist and Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, USA, “for decisive contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin”.
In their statement, the Nobel committee states: "Francis Halzen realised that ice at the South Pole could be used to track particles known as neutrinos. His vision and scientific leadership have been fundamental for the IceCube Neutrino Observatory – a cubic kilometre of ice that is equipped with light sensors. Using IceCube, researchers can capture neutrinos from extremely energy-rich processes in the distant universe."
Professor Halzen is member of the Academia Europaea Physics Section since 2018.
Professor Francis Halzens
(EL PAIS/BERNARDO PÉREZ (www.elpais.com))
(EL PAIS/BERNARDO PÉREZ (www.elpais.com))
Professor Paolo Papale MAE, Chair of the Exact Sciences Class of Academia Europaea and Professor Itamar Procaccia MAE, Chair of the Physics Section, write:
"The Physics Section of the Academia Europaea is delighted to congratulate our Academy member Prof. Francis Halzen on the announcement of his Nobel Prize "for decisive contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin." Professor Halzen is joining the stellar list of seventeen Nobel Prizes of our Physics Section, being the eighteenth.
We wish Professor Halzen many years of continued excellence"." #
Posted 6th October 2026 by Academia Europaea.
