NMSU Psychology Professor Wins Prestigious Humboldt Research Award

David Trafimow recognized as one of the top 2% of scientists globally.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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David Trafimow, a psychology professor at New Mexico State University, has been awarded the prestigious 2026 Humboldt Research Award by the German government. The award is given to only 100 people worldwide across all disciplines and comes with over $90,000 in funding and an invitation to spend 6-12 months in Germany collaborating on a research project of Trafimow's choosing.

Why it matters

Receiving the Humboldt Research Award is a significant international accolade that highlights Trafimow's groundbreaking work in psychology and cements his status as one of the top researchers in his field globally. The award provides Trafimow with resources to further his research and collaborate with leading scholars in Germany, which could lead to important advancements in the field of psychology.

The details

Trafimow is a psychology professor at New Mexico State University whose research has placed him among the top 2% of scientists worldwide, according to a list compiled by Stanford University and publishing company Elsevier. The Humboldt Research Award is given out by the German government to only 100 people globally across all academic disciplines, making Trafimow's selection a remarkable achievement.

  • Trafimow was announced as a 2026 Humboldt Research Award recipient on February 11, 2026.

The players

David Trafimow

A psychology professor at New Mexico State University who has been recognized as among the top 2% of scientists worldwide.

New Mexico State University

The public research university where Trafimow is a professor in the psychology department.

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What they’re saying

“Receiving this award is a tremendous honor that reflects the hard work and dedication of my entire research team. I'm excited to collaborate with leading scholars in Germany and further advance the field of psychology.”

— David Trafimow, Psychology Professor

What’s next

Trafimow plans to spend 6-12 months in Germany in 2026 working on a research project of his choosing as part of the Humboldt Research Award.

The takeaway

Trafimow's Humboldt Research Award is a testament to the world-class caliber of research being conducted at New Mexico State University and highlights the university's ability to attract and retain top academic talent in the field of psychology.