On July 23 (Eastern Time), the 2026 International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM 2026), often described as the "Olympics of Mathematics," officially announced the complete list of prize recipients in Philadelphia. Professor Yurii Nesterov, Professor at the Center for AI Theory and Systems of Shenzhen Loop Area Institute and the School of Data Science at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, was awarded the Gauss Prize becoming the sixth recipient since the prize's establishment. Professor Yurii Nesterov is a world-leading authority in optimization theory. His pioneering research, most notably the accelerated gradient method, underpins modern machine learning and optimization algorithms, and has profoundly shaped the advancement of modern mathematics, computer science, and artificial intelligence.

Professor Yurii Nesterov at the Award Ceremony

The Carl Friedrich Gauss Prize stands as the highest honor in the field of applied mathematics. Ranking alongside the Fields Medal and the Chern Medal, it is recognized as one of the most prestigious academic awards in the global mathematics community. Jointly established by the International Mathematical Union (IMU) and the German Mathematical Society (DMV), this flagship award is presented at the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM), representing the pinnacle of academic authority and professional recognition in worldwide applied mathematics research.

Award Citation for Professor Yurii Nesterov at the ICM

The prize was first conferred at the 2006 International Congress of Mathematicians. Unlike other mathematics awards that focus primarily on pure theoretical research, the Gauss Prize specifically honors outstanding scholars for the practical implementation and societal impact of their mathematical achievements. It recognizes researchers who leverage cutting-edge mathematical theories to deliver groundbreaking and transformative contributions to advanced technological development, industrial and commercial innovation, and improvements in public well-being. All past laureates are distinguished academics who lead the advancement of applied mathematics and drive scientific and technological innovation across society.

NESTEROV, Yurii
Professor

• International Member of the National Academy of Sciences
• Professor of Center for AI Theoretical Foundation and Systems，Shenzhen Loop Area Institute
• Professor at the School of Data Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen
• Emeritus Professor, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE), Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Belgium

Research Areas

Theory and Methods of Nonlinear Optimization, Models of Operations Research, Applications of Optimization in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence

Biography

Prof. Yurii Nesterov is an International Member of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), a Member of Academiae Europaeae, and a Foreign Member of the Montenegrin Academy of Science. He held a research position at the Central Economic and Mathematical Institute in Moscow from 1977 to 1992, and served as a professor at the Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE) at the Catholic University of Louvain (UCL), Belgium, from 1993 to 2023.

His research interests are related to complexity issues and efficient methods for solving various optimization problems. The main results are obtained in different areas of Convex Optimization: optimal methods for smooth problems, polynomial-time interior-point methods, smoothing technique for structural optimization, complexity theory for second-order methods, optimization methods for huge-scale problems, implementable tensor methods.

Professor Yurii Nesterov is a foundational figure in optimization theory. His groundbreaking Nesterov accelerated gradient method has fundamentally redefined scholarly understanding of first-order algorithms, and the smoothing techniques he pioneered have overcome long-standing computational bottlenecks in nonsmooth optimization. His seminal body of work remains a key driving force behind ongoing advances in machine learning and data science.

Notably, earlier this year, Professor Yurii Nesterov was awarded the 2026 NAAI Academy Award by the National Academy of Artificial Intelligence (NAAI) in recognition of his foundational contributions to convex optimization theory and its profound impact on modern machine learning. The NAAI Academy Award represents the highest honor of the National Academy of Artificial Intelligence. It recognizes scientists whose work has reshaped the intellectual foundations of artificial intelligence.

The International Congress of Mathematicians

Hosted by the International Mathematical Union (IMU), the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) ranks as the largest and most vital global gathering for mathematics professionals. Held once every four years, this premier global congress enables mathematicians across the globe to exchange insights, showcase cutting-edge research and discuss disciplinary progress, earning its reputation as the "Olympics of Mathematics". The inaugural congress convened in Zurich, Switzerland, back in 1897, marking a century-long legacy of international mathematical exchange. The ICM 2026 will run from July 23 to 30 in Philadelphia, the United States.

Shenzhen Loop Area Institute

In alignment with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area’s strategy to build a world-class talent hub, Shenzhen Loop Area Institute (SLAI) officially appointed Professor Yurii Nesterov — a world-leading mathematician and founding figure of modern convex optimization theory — as a faculty member in May 2026, as part of its efforts to boost global academic standing in mathematics, artificial intelligence and operations research.

Professor Nesterov’s recent award of the IMU Carl Friedrich Gauss Prize, marks both the pinnacle of global recognition for his scholarly work and a landmark achievement of SLAI’s high-end talent recruitment strategy. The accolade further reinforces the Institute’s international competitiveness in fundamental AI research and mathematical optimization.

Going forward, SLAI will continue to attract top academic talent worldwide, advance interdisciplinary integration across mathematics, AI and computer science, and strengthen basic research and original innovation to drive high-quality development of the Institute.