The winners of the Wales STEM Awards 2026 have been revealed, celebrating the best in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) across Wales.
Now in their sixth year, the awards, sponsored by Cardiff Metropolitan University, brought together finalists from across the country at Techniquest in Cardiff. The ceremony showcased the breadth and strength of Wales’ STEM sector, from pioneering businesses developing new technologies and organisations tackling skills shortages, to inspirational educators, community projects and individuals championing greater diversity and inclusion.
Key winners and university success
Among this year’s winners was MeOmics Precision Medicine, which took home the Innovation in STEM Award, while Nellie Technologies was named STEM company of the year (under 50 employees) and NOVA Outreach won start-up of the year.
The University of South Wales celebrated two wins, with its building Wales’s future space and edge AI capability programme receiving the shaping the future award and its applied sciences team named team of the year.
Education and skills were also firmly in the spotlight. Theatr na nÓg’s Dal y Gwynt won educational programme of the year (not-for-profit), e-sgol’s the science project took the public sector award, and Wynne Construction’s maths in the workplace initiative was named educational programme of the year (private sector).
Community and individual honours
The newly introduced STEM community impact award was presented to the big science project, recognising its work to make hands-on STEM experiences more accessible to communities, while STEM Untapped CIC took home STEM collaboration of the year.
Individual winners included Emma Wride of AstroCymru, who was named woman of the year; Nirmani Fonseka of Ogi, who received the rising star of the Year Award; and Josephine Grech of Cardiff and Vale College, who was named ambassador of the Year. Nightingale HQ was recognised with the sustainability award.
A special recognition award was also presented to Dr Geertje Van Keulen of Swansea University, recognising her longstanding contribution to STEM research, innovation, public engagement and the promotion of women in STEM. Dr Van Keulen is an associate professor in microbial biochemistry at Swansea University’s Institute of Life Science, where she leads interdisciplinary research and innovation spanning microbiology, biomaterials, antimicrobial resistance and sustainable innovation. Alongside her academic work, she has made a significant contribution to public engagement, including leading Soapbox Science Swansea, supporting STEM outreach and helping to raise the profile of women working in science.
Quotes from organisers and judges
Liz Brookes, co-founder of the Wales STEM Awards, said: “Every year the Wales STEM Awards give us an opportunity to shine a light on the extraordinary work taking place across the country, and this year’s winners demonstrate just how diverse, ambitious and exciting Wales’ STEM community is.”
Professor Jon Platt, dean of Cardiff School of Technologies at Cardiff Metropolitan University, said: “Wales has a thriving STEM community, and this year’s winners demonstrate the innovation, expertise and ambition that exists across our businesses, universities, education providers and communities.”
Martin McHugh, chair of judges, added: “The judging panel had an incredibly difficult task this year. The quality of the entries demonstrated not only the depth of STEM expertise that exists in Wales, but also the commitment across the sector to innovation, collaboration, skills development and widening participation.”
A number of finalists were also recognised as highly commended by the judges, including Dragon Darwin Experience – The Darwin Centre, Steph Locke of Nightingale HQ, The National Cyber Security Academy – ACE Cyber Security Competition, A Welsh Coal Mining Experience – Rhondda Heritage Park Museum, Hidden Strength, The Big Science Project, Wynne Construction & Careers Wales, and Techniquest.
