Nobel Prize is one of the most prestigious and sought-after awards in the world, honoring individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions in various fields of knowledge and human progress. But how does one win this illustrious prize? What are the selection criteria, and how does the nomination process work?
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What is the Nobel Prize?
Established in 1895 by Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, the Nobel Prize was created to honor those who bring the greatest benefit to humanity. Nobel allocated much of his fortune to the creation of a fund to finance this award. Today, it is presented in six major categories:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Medicine or Physiology
- Literature
- Peace
- Economic Sciences (added later by the Bank of Sweden)
Criteria for winning a Nobel Prize
While there is no fixed list of requirements for winning a Nobel Prize, several common factors must be met. Let’s explore the primary selection criteria:
Extraordinary contributions
In each category, the candidate must have made a groundbreaking contribution in their field. This could be a revolutionary scientific discovery, an impactful literary work, a diplomatic solution for peace, or a significant economic innovation.
Originality and lasting impact
Candidates’ work must be original and have a lasting impact on the world. For example, scientific discoveries that change how we understand the universe or diplomatic solutions that prevent armed conflicts are prime examples of the lasting influence required.
International recognition
Though the Nobel Prize is awarded by specific committees, the candidate’s work must have gained international recognition. This means it should be recognized and appreciated by the scientific, cultural, or political communities worldwide.
Alignment with Nobel’s values
Alfred Nobel’s principle was that the prize should go to those who have benefited humanity the most. Therefore, candidates must reflect this value in their contributions.
The nomination process
Winning a Nobel Prize is no easy feat, and the selection process follows an extremely rigorous procedure. Below are the main stages:
Nomination
Nominations cannot be submitted by the candidates themselves. Only qualified individuals, such as former Nobel laureates, members of scientific academies, university professors, or high-ranking politicians, can submit nominations.
Selection
Once nominations are received, special committees evaluate the candidates for each category. This process is confidential and can take many months. The experts involved thoroughly analyze the candidates’ contributions, comparing them to other exceptional work in the same field.
Announcement of the winners
The winners are usually announced in early October. However, the final decision-making process is highly confidential, and no one outside the committee knows the winners’ names beforehand.
Award ceremony
The award ceremony takes place in Stockholm on December 10th each year, commemorating Alfred Nobel’s death. However, the Nobel Peace Prize is presented in Oslo, Norway.
What winning a Nobel Prize entails
Winning not only brings international prestige but also a significant financial reward. In 2023, the prize amounted to 10 million Swedish kronor (around €920,000), which can be shared if the prize is awarded to more than one person.
Interesting facts about the Nobel Prize
- Posthumous Nobel Prize: Generally, the prize cannot be awarded posthumously, unless the winner passes away after the announcement.
- Multiple winners per category: A prize can be shared by up to three individuals if their contributions to the result are considered equivalent.
- Peace Prize inclusivity: The Peace Prize is the only one awarded to both individuals and organizations.
Women Nobel Prize winners
Although most winners are men, many remarkable women have made history by winning the prize. Notable examples include Marie Curie, the only woman to win two Nobel Prizes in different fields, and Malala Yousafzai, who won the Nobel Peace Prize at just 17 years old.
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