IMT - Académie des sciences Prize
An annual Prize recognizing outstanding scientific contributions at the European level
Organized in partnership with the French Academy of sciences and supported by the Fondation Mines-Télécom.
Four fields
This Prize recognizes scientists whose outstanding body of work and internationally recognized scientific achievements have significantly advanced challenges arising from industry and business, in support of a sustainable economy, in one of the following scientific and technological fields:
- Responsible Industry of the Future;
- Digital Sovereignty and Digital Frugality;
- Energy, the Circular Economy and Society;
- Engineering for Health and Well-being.
2026 : A new chapter for the IMT–Académie des sciences Prize
In 2026, the IMT–Académie des sciences Prize evolves with two updated distinctions. The Grand Prize becomes the Grand Prize for Women in Science, and the Young Scientist Prize becomes the Emerging Prize.
Grand Prize for Women in Science
This annual Prize recognizes women in science whose outstanding scientific achievements have significantly advanced industrial and business challenges in support of a sustainable economy within the scientific and technological fields represented by the Prize.
In 2026, the French Académie des sciences will award the IMT – Académie des sciences Grand Prize for Women in Science, presented with a €15,000 cash award.
Grand Prize for Women in Science IMT – Académie des Sciences is awarded to women in science working in France, or elsewhere in Europe but in close collaboration with a French team. There is however no citizenship requirement.
Emerging Prize
Established by IMT in partnership with the Fondation Mines-Télécom, this annual Prize recognizes a scientist under the age of 40 (as of 1 January of the year the Prize is awarded; this age limit may be extended by one year per child) whose outstanding scientific achievements have significantly advanced an emerging field, a disruptive technological innovation, or the creation of a deep-tech start-up, in one of the scientific and technological fields covered by the Prize.
In 2026, the French Académie des sciences will award the IMT–Académie des sciences Emerging Prize, which carries a €10,000 cash award.
The IMT–Académie des sciences Emerging Prize is awarded to a scientist working in France, or elsewhere in Europe in close collaboration with a French research team. There is no citizenship requirement.
The age requirement applies to candidates born in 1986 or later.
Many thanks to the patrons of this edition of the IMT – Academy of Sciences Prize: BNP Paribas, Orange, and Dassault Systèmes!
2025 Prize Recipients
Grand Prize
Stéphane Avril
“I am deeply honoured to receive this distinction from the Académie des sciences and IMT, which recognizes a body of work developed over many years. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Mines Saint-Étienne, an IMT Technological University, for providing me with the freedom and resources to pursue a long-term scientific vision, notably through the creation of the start-ups Predisurge and KaomX.”
At the crossroads of engineering and life sciences, Stéphane Avril is advancing the emerging field of biomechanics. Widely recognized for his research and convinced that interdisciplinarity is a powerful driver of innovation in the biomedical sector, he was awarded the 2025 IMT–Académie des sciences Grand Prize in recognition of his outstanding contributions.
Young Scientist Prize
Damien Texier
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Académie des sciences and IMT for awarding me this prestigious Prize. It recognizes my research efforts in micromechanics and correlative mechanical microscopy to study the durability of components used in the aerospace and energy sectors.”
By investigating the mechanical and chemical properties of materials at the microscale, Damien Texier contributes to improving the durability of critical metallic materials used in the nuclear, aerospace and transport sectors. In recognition of his contribution to advancing our understanding of the interactions between mechanics, environmental conditions and material durability, he was awarded the 2025 IMT–Académie des sciences Young Scientist Prize.
2024 Prize Recipients
Grand Prize
Patrice Abry
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Académie des sciences and IMT for this prestigious Prize, which recognizes a body of work focused on methodological developments in multiscale analysis and their applications to Internet traffic modelling, cybersecurity and physiological rhythms.”
A specialist in the analysis of complex signals, Patrice Abry, CNRS Research Director at the Physics Laboratory of ENS de Lyon, studies fractal properties and scale-invariant dynamics. An expert in wavelet theory, which he has explored since his PhD in Physics at Université Lyon 1, he has made major contributions to signal analysis across a wide range of applications. In recognition of these achievements, he was awarded the IMT–Académie des sciences Grand Prize 2024.
Young Scientist Prizer
Elsa Dupraz
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Académie des sciences and IMT for this prestigious Prize, which recognizes a body of work focused on methodological developments in multiscale analysis and their applications to Internet traffic modelling, cybersecurity and physiological rhythms.”
Channel coding, the focus of Elsa Dupraz’s research as a faculty member at IMT Atlantique, is essential to improving information transmission in telecommunications. Beyond its well-established efficiency, she explores new applications such as data compression and DNA storage. Her involvement in ambitious projects at the crossroads of several disciplines earned her the 2024 IMT–Académie des sciences Young Scientist Prize.
2023 Prize Recipients
Grand Prize
Jacques Besson
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to IMT and the Académie des sciences for this prestigious Prize, which recognizes research dedicated to the safety and durability of materials and structures. I would also like to share this distinction with my colleagues, doctoral researchers and industry partners. This Prize highlights the vital role that engineering schools play in addressing the major technological challenges of our time, particularly the energy transition.”
A researcher at the Centre des Matériaux of MINES Paris, Jacques Besson specializes in the study of the physical mechanisms behind metal failure. Conducted in close collaboration with industry, his research combines laboratory testing, modelling and full-scale simulations. In recognition of his distinguished career and contributions to the field, he was awarded the 2023 IMT–Académie des sciences Grand Prize.
Young Scientist Prize
Julien Tierny
“I am deeply honoured to receive this Prize. I would like to thank IMT and the Académie des sciences for shining a spotlight on my research in topological data analysis, at the intersection of computer science, mathematics and application domains. I am grateful to my collaborators, especially the doctoral researchers with whom I have had the privilege to work and who are a constant source of enthusiasm and inspiration. Finally, I would like to thank all my teachers, from primary school through higher education, for nurturing my curiosity and passion for science.”
A researcher at LIP6, Sorbonne Université’s computer science laboratory, Julien Tierny explores data analysis and visualization through topological methods, a discipline at the crossroads of computer science and applied mathematics. Using dedicated algorithms, he investigates the structure and topology of large-scale, complex datasets, many of which are generated by industrial partners across a wide range of sectors. In recognition of these contributions, he was awarded the 2023 IMT–Académie des sciences Young Scientist Prize.
2022 Prize Recipients
Grand Prize
Jean-Louis de Bougrenet
“I am deeply grateful to IMT and the Académie des sciences for this Prize, which I am proud to share with my colleagues, students and doctoral researchers. This distinction recognizes the dynamism of our engineering schools, whose broad interdisciplinary expertise is essential to addressing the many challenges facing modern society. I hope this Prize will encourage other young scientists to embark on their own journey in emerging technologies, which are now more closely intertwined with human needs than ever before.”
Developing cyborg-inspired augmented vision systems for civilian and defence applications is one of the key focuses of Jean-Louis de Bougrenet’s research as a professor at IMT Atlantique. His work on the acceptability of immersive systems has made him a pioneer in the development of instrumented contact lenses. This technological breakthrough opens up new possibilities, ranging from visual assistance and restoration to highly miniaturized augmented reality systems. In recognition of his pioneering contributions, he was awarded the 2022 IMT–Académie des sciences Grand Prize.
Young Scientist Prize
Silvère Bonnabel
“I am particularly delighted to receive this prestigious Prize, which recognizes work combining mathematical theory and industrial applications in the field of control engineering. I would like to thank all my collaborators, researchers and engineers alike, starting with the students I have had the privilege to supervise.”
From aerospace to autonomous vehicles, Silvère Bonnabel’s research in control engineering has helped improve navigation systems around the world. A common thread throughout his career has been his close collaboration with industry partners, whose challenges inspire him to develop new mathematical theories rooted in practical applications. In recognition of his research achievements, he was awarded the 2022 IMT–Académie des sciences Young Scientist Prize.
2021 Prize Recipients
Grand Prize
David Gesbert
“My sincere thanks to IMT and the Académie des sciences for this Prize, which I am proud to share with my past and present collaborators, starting with my students. It is both an honour and a great pleasure to see the importance of communications science recognized at this level. I hope this Prize will inspire many young scientists to pursue careers in this field, which holds tremendous promise for the future of humanity.”
A researcher at EURECOM, David Gesbert is one of the pioneers of MIMO technology, now widely used in wireless telecommunications systems around the world. His work has contributed to the development of Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G and 5G technologies, and he is now helping to shape the future of 6G communications. In recognition of his outstanding scientific achievements, he was awarded the IMT–Académie des sciences Grand Prize 2021.
Young Scientist Prize
Antoine Fécant
“I am honoured to see my research recognized through this Prize. This distinction will help raise awareness of solar fuel technologies and the advances they can offer in addressing today’s energy and climate challenges.”
A researcher in advanced materials for energy at IFP Energies nouvelles, Antoine Fécant has contributed to numerous projects focused on the production of solar fuels, bio-based fuels and petroleum refining processes. His research supports the energy transition by developing innovative solutions for more sustainable energy systems. In recognition of these contributions, he was awarded the 2021 IMT–Académie des sciences Young Scientist Prize.
2020 Prize Recipients
Grand Prize
Gaël Richard
“I am particularly pleased to receive this Prize, which highlights not only recent advances in the field, but also the challenges and opportunities of audio signal processing for artificial intelligence.”
From speech synthesis and sound separation to the automatic recognition of instruments and voices, Gaël Richard’s research at Télécom Paris has focused on audio signal processing throughout his career. He has developed numerous methods for analysing acoustic signals, making significant contributions to the advancement of the field. Today, these innovations are used in a wide range of applications across the automotive and music industries. In recognition of both his academic achievements and his contributions to technology transfer, he was awarded the 2020 IMT–Académie des sciences Grand Prize.
Young Scientist Prize
Étienne Perret
“I am delighted to demonstrate, year after year, that a radically different identification technology could emerge as an alternative to those used today. Bridging academic research and real-world applications has always been a driving force in my work, and my ambition is to see this technology find its place in society.”
What if barcodes disappeared from supermarket products? A researcher in radio-frequency electronics at Grenoble INP, Étienne Perret specializes in identification technologies. For several years, he has focused on developing chipless RFID systems, a new generation of radio-frequency identification technology that operates without electronic components. His work aims to deliver some of the capabilities of conventional RFID at a cost comparable to that of traditional barcodes, which remain the most widely used method for product identification. In recognition of the high potential of this research for product traceability and tracking, he was awarded the 2020 IMT–Académie des sciences Young Scientist Prize.