The Nobel Prizes (/noʊˈbɛl/ noh-BEL; Swedish: Nobelpriset [nʊˈbɛ̂lːˌpriːsɛt]; Norwegian: Nobelprisen [nʊˈbɛ̀lːˌpriːsn̩]) are five separate prizes that, according to Alfred Nobel's will of 1895, are awarded to "those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to Mankind." Alfred Nobel was a Swedish chemist, engineer, and industrialist most famously known for the invention of dynamite. He died in 1896. In his will, he bequeathed all of his "remaining realisable assets" to be used to establish five prizes which became known as "Nobel Prizes." Nobel Prizes were first awarded in 1901.[2]
Awarded for
Contributions that have conferred the greatest benefit to Mankind in the areas of Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace.
Country
Sweden (all prizes except the Peace Prize)
Norway (Peace Prize only)
Presented by
Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (Physics, Chemistry and Economic Sciences[1])
Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institute (Physiology or Medicine)
Swedish Academy (Literature)
Norwegian Nobel Committee (Peace)
Reward(s)
A gold medal, a diploma, and a monetary award of 10 million SEK, approx. US$1,145,000 (2020)[2]
First awarded
1901; 121 years ago
Number of laureates
603 prizes to 962 laureates (as of 2020)[2]
Nobel Prizes are awarded in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace (Nobel characterized the Peace Prize as "to the person who has done the most or best to advance fellowship among nations, the abolition or reduction of standing armies, and the establishment and promotion of peace congresses").[2] In 1968, Sveriges Riksbank (Sweden's central bank) funded the establishment of the Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, to also be administered by the Nobel Foundation.[2][3][4] Nobel Prizes are widely regarded as the most prestigious awards available in their respective fields.[5][6]
The prize ceremonies take place annually. Each recipient (known as a "laureate") receives a gold medal, a diploma, and a monetary award. In 2021, the Nobel Prize monetary award is 10,000,000 SEK.[7] A prize may not be shared among more than three individuals, although the Nobel Peace Prize can be awarded to organizations of more than three people.[8] Although Nobel Prizes are not awarded posthumously, if a person is awarded a prize and dies before receiving it, the prize is presented.[9]
The Nobel Prizes, beginning in 1901, and the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, beginning in 1969, have been awarded 603 times to 962 people and 25 organizations.[2] Four individuals and two organisations have received more than one Nobel Prize.[10]