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And the winner for the 2026 challenge is:
Julie Elie – USA
Awarded for:
Cracking the “language” of zebra finches:
a journey into their mental life
Prize: $100,000
Cracking the Chimpanzee Code
Catherine Crockford, France and Ivory Coast
Photo by: Liran Samuni/Tai Chimpanzee Project
Ultrasonic signals support a large-scale communication landscape in wild mice
Nicolas Mathevon, France
Extensive compositionality in the vocal system of bonobos
Mélissa Berthet
Martin Surbeck and Simon Townsend, Germany and USA
Meet the Other Outstanding Finalists
Two-Way Symbolic Communication with Grey Parrots
Irene Pepperberg, USA
The Coller-Dolittle Prize committee has decided to award Dr. Irene Pepperberg with a special prize of $10,000 in recognition of her lifetime achievements
Coller-Dolittle Prize Ceremony 25.6.26
Watch the official announcement of this year’s winner and finalists.
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