National Academy of Sciences to Honor Francis Collins

BioLogos congratulates Francis Collins on being named the 2026 recipient of the National Academy of Sciences’ Public Welfare Medal, its most prestigious honor.

Each year, NAS presents this award to an individual whose career exemplifies “extraordinary use of science for the public good.” Recent recipients include Mary-Claire King, whose genetic research reunited families torn apart by war; Nancy Hopkins, molecular biologist and advocate for women in STEM; and Freeman A. Hrabowski III, for transforming science education.

This year, NAS selected Collins for both his pioneering research and his commitment to scientific collaboration.

“Through his scientific insight, ethical leadership, and public advocacy, Collins has strengthened public trust in science and demonstrated how discovery can serve humanity,” National Academy of Sciences President Marcia McNutt said in NAS’s announcement.

We wholeheartedly agree. To commemorate this achievement, we highlight three times when Collins’ scientific work helped people heal and flourish—demonstrating that science truly is a gift from God.

Leveraging Science and Collaboration to Heal

Discovering the Gene for Cystic Fibrosis

Early in his scientific career, Collins played a leading role in discovering the gene for cystic fibrosis. This breakthrough exemplifies both his work using science to heal and his emphasis on collaboration.

In 1989, Collins and his team identified the first genetic mutation for cystic fibrosis, paving the way for major advances in medications and treatments to help those suffering from the disease.

At the time, only half of those living with cystic fibrosis were expected to live beyond their mid-twenties. Today, data from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation indicate that half of those born with cystic fibrosis in the last five years will live to age 65 and older.

Collaboration was crucial to this discovery. To accelerate progress, Collins and his team of researchers at the University of Michigan worked with geneticist Lap-Chee Tsui and his colleagues in Toronto. Their partnership extended and improved the lives of thousands of people.

Reflecting in an interview with the John Templeton Foundation in 2021, Collins said the moment of discovery was like getting “a glimpse of God’s mind.”

Leading the Human Genome Project

Beginning in 1993, Collins led the Human Genome Project, an ambitious international research project to map the entire human genome.

The scope of the project was staggering. For Collins, leading it meant coordinating the work of hundreds of scientists in twenty major laboratories across six countries.

The project culminated in 2003 with the mapping of more than 90% of the human genome. The impact of this achievement—from advancing genetics research to improving healthcare outcomes—has been profound in shaping science as we know it today.

Yet the project’s legacy extends beyond its scientific discoveries. The Human Genome Project demonstrated that large-scale, international collaboration in scientific research could succeed—and could do so in an ethical, innovative way.

Directing the National Institutes of Health

In 2009, Collins was appointed Director of the National Institutes of Health. He served in this role across three presidencies and more than twelve years.

Under his direction, the NIH accelerated neuroscience research, prioritized research efforts against cancer, and responded to crucial public health challenges, including COVID-19.

Science is a Gift from God

At BioLogos, we believe that science is a God-given gift meant to help us heal, protect, and flourish. Few people embody this conviction more fully than Francis Collins.

Over the course of his career, Collins has helped uncover the causes of diseases, deepened our understanding of genetics, and advanced research into critical public health challenges. These efforts have paved the way for treatments that save lives and help people flourish.