About the Award
The Atkinson Prize in Psychological and Cognitive Sciences (formerly the NAS Prize in Psychological and Cognitive Sciences) is presented to honor significant advances in the psychological and cognitive sciences with important implications for formal and systematic theory in these fields. Two prizes of $100,000 are presented biennially.
Deanna M. Barch, Washington University in St. Louis, and Tor D. Wager, Dartmouth College, will each receive a 2026 Atkinson Prize in Psychological and Cognitive Sciences.
Barch’s seminal work has shaped our understanding of behavior, brain, and mental health across development, especially in schizophrenia and childhood depression.
Her extensive research and leadership in large-scale neuroimaging initiatives have advanced understanding of cognitive dysfunction and brain connectivity, influencing both fundamental psychological science and clinical interventions.
Barch’s studies of cognitive control in schizophrenia have led to the development of novel agents to target cognitive deficits for people with the condition and have transformed how cognition is studied in this disorder. Her research has also worked to identify neural predictors of depression in very young children and to develop treatments that can be implemented in early childhood.
In addition to her research, Barch has made exceptional contributions as a mentor and leader, displaying a deep commitment to training the next generation of clinician-scientists.
Wager’s pioneering research has reshaped our understanding of the neural mechanisms of emotion, pain, and belief, and how these processes shape physical and mental wellbeing.
His work on pain and belief provides not only key scientific importance but also carries profound implications for clinical practice, from end-of-life care to novel therapies for chronic pain.
Wager’s research focuses on the neurophysiology of affective processes—pain, emotion, stress, and empathy—and how they are shaped by cognitive and social influences. Through innovative neuroimaging approaches, he has elucidated the brain mechanisms underlying placebo effects, pain perception, and emotion regulation, bridging cognitive and affective neuroscience with clinical applications. He has also developed and implemented innovative methods for human brain imaging, advancing the field’s ability to identify replicable and generalizable patterns of brain activity.
A mentor, leader, and a visionary, Wager has provided deep mechanistic insight, methodological innovation, and key leadership to the shape the field.
Watch them receive the awards online during the 163rd NAS Annual Meeting on April 26th.
Award History
The Atkinson Prize in Psychological and Cognitive Studies was established in 2013 by Richard C. Atkinson, president emeritus of the University of California and former director of the National Science Foundation. The prize was first awarded in 2014 to Elizabeth S. Spelke for her groundbreaking studies of infant perception, infant representations of number, and infant knowledge of the physical and social world, as well as studies of continuity and discontinuity in ontogeny. Previous recipients of the Atkinson Prize continue to achieve outstanding advancements in their fields.
Most Recent Recipient
Deanna M. Barch
2026
