Six days, six prizes

Soon we will reveal the Nobel Prize laureates of 2025. Starting on 6 October, we will announce the scientists, writers and promoters of peace that have received this year’s prizes.

After a long selection process, the Nobel Prize-awarding institutions finally make their choice of the discoveries and achievements that – in keeping with the vision of Alfred Nobel – have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind. Follow the announcements live on nobelprize.org

Selecting the Nobel Prize laureates

Professor Anders Irbäck interviewed at The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Photo: Patrik Lundin/The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

Each year, thousands of members of academies, university professors, scientists, previous Nobel Prize laureates and members of parliamentary assemblies and others, submit candidates for the Nobel Prizes for the coming year.

After receiving all nominations, the Nobel Committees of the four prize-awarding institutions are responsible for the selection of the candidates. Read more about the nomination process 

Watch the laureates' stories.

How would you react?

Surprised, overwhelmed, terrified, happy. How would you react if you were awarded the Nobel Prize? Listen to the 2018 and 2019 laureates talk about the moment they discovered the exciting news.

Shortly after the Nobel Prize announcement, 2023 medicine laureate Drew Weissman was interviewed about his feelings. Still slightly in disbelief, he shared his first reactions:

Drew Weissman after receiving the news of his Nobel Prize. Photo: Mary Ellen Weissman

“You know, it’s a lifetime dream. And this is coming from somebody who doesn’t work for or look forward to awards. But you know, the Nobel is the ultimate recognition of work, so it is a wonderful experience.” Listen to the interview

The first Nobel Prize award ceremony in 1901. Photo: Public domain.

Awarded since 1901

The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901 and have, with few exceptions, been awarded annually since then. The Nobel Prize was set up when businessman and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel died and left most of his fortune to the establishment of prizes in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and peace. In 1968, Sveriges Riksbank (Sweden’s central bank) established the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.

Do you want to know more about the Nobel Prize? Find out here

Mapping molecules

Molecular model of penicillin by Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin, circa 1945. Photo: Science Museum London/Science and Society Picture Library [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin’s work determining the 3D structure of molecules had immediate implications.

Her map of the structure of the ‘miracle drug’ penicillin made the drug easier to manufacture, and her detailed map of insulin allowed for vast improvements in the treatment of diabetes.

Crowfoot Hodgkin was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1964. On 8 October, we will announce this year’s chemistry laureate. Read more about Crowfoot Hodgkin's work

Monthly quiz

Posthumous prizes

Before 1974, a person could be awarded the Nobel Prize posthumously if they had already been nominated before 1 February of the same year. 1931 literature laureate Erik Axel Karlfeldt was awarded posthumously, as well as a peace prize laureate – whom? Make a guess and click to submit your answer. 

Interested in learning more?

Discover more Nobel Prize stories at nobelprize.org.

Photo: Alexander Mahmoud

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