Nobel 2025: History, amount, and categories of the award

The Nobel Prize is one of the most prestigious international awards presented annually to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to science, culture, and society. It was established according to the will of Swedish chemist, inventor, and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel, who allocated a significant portion of his fortune to recognize those who have greatly advanced humanity. The first Nobel Prizes were awarded at the beginning of the 20th century in the fields of physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace promotion. Fifty-seven years later, in 1968, the Swedish Central Bank introduced a prize in economics, bringing the total number of categories to six.

How much money does a Nobel laureate receive?

In addition to a gold medal and diploma, Nobel laureates also receive a monetary award. These funds are allocated by the Nobel Foundation, which manages the philanthropist’s legacy. In 2025, the prize amounts to 11 million Swedish kronor, roughly equivalent to 1.2 million US dollars. Traditionally, the award ceremony takes place on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.

Who nominates candidates for the Nobel Prize?

The Nobel laureates are announced annually in October and November, but the selection process begins in the autumn of the previous year. To maintain confidentiality and independence, the process is carried out in several stages. At the beginning of autumn, six Nobel Committees representing each category invite laureates, members of awarding institutions, scholars in physics, chemistry, economics, and medicine, as well as members of various universities and scientific academies, to submit nominations by January 31. Approximately one thousand individuals are invited to nominate candidates, and typically between 100 and 250 nominees are approved for consideration.

On February 1, the committees begin their work. The list of nominees remains confidential, and committee members are prohibited from discussing decisions for 50 years. Individuals cannot nominate themselves, but others may nominate the same person multiple times. After the submission deadline, committees carefully review hundreds of nominations and consult with experts. The process concludes with a vote in October, after which recommendations are sent to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and other awarding institutions. The final decision must be made by November 15.

The Peace Prize, in particular, often recognizes efforts made in the previous year to promote peace and responds to pressing global events.

How is the award ceremony conducted?

The Nobel Prize is presented annually on December 10 in Stockholm, Sweden, and Oslo, Norway. In Stockholm, the ceremony is attended by the Swedish royal family, and the King personally presents medals and diplomas to laureates in physics, chemistry, medicine, economics, and literature. The Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, where the ceremony is held in the presence of the Norwegian royal family and presided over by the chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. This follows Nobel’s personal wishes, as he specified that the Peace Prize ceremony should take place in Norway.

Each laureate is called to the stage to receive their medal, diploma, and monetary award. The ceremony is broadcast worldwide and followed by a grand banquet at Stockholm City Hall, attended by over a thousand guests, including diplomats and distinguished figures from science and culture.

When will the 2025 Nobel Prizes be announced?

The 2025 Nobel Week will take place from October 6 to October 13, with laureates announced in the following order:

October 6 – Physiology or Medicine
October 7 – Physics
October 8 – Chemistry
October 9 – Literature
October 10 – Peace
October 13 – Economics

Trump and his campaign for the Nobel Prize

Donald Trump, the 47th President of the United States, has been vying for the Nobel Peace Prize since returning to office in 2025. During his election campaign, he repeatedly claimed to be “bringing peace to the world” and pledged to end the ongoing Russia–Ukraine and Israel–Hamas wars. He even asserted that he would resolve the Russia–Ukraine conflict within 24 hours of taking office. However, eleven months have passed since his election victory and nine months since his inauguration, yet both wars continue. Nevertheless, it should be noted that under his mediation, a ceasefire agreement was reached between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, with the involvement of Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey.

Trump has also claimed credit for stopping conflicts between India and Pakistan, Cambodia and Thailand, and Armenia and Azerbaijan earlier this year. He stated that he has “ended nearly eight wars” and deserves recognition, adding:

“We resolved seven wars. We’re close to resolving the eighth one. I believe we will eventually settle the situation with Russia as well.”

Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also remarked during a meeting at the UN headquarters on September 23 that Donald Trump deserves the Nobel Peace Prize.

Trump himself has reportedly launched a campaign to secure the award, supported by those around him. His special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, urged the Nobel Committee during a meeting in Washington in August to “take action” and grant the award to Trump. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also endorsed the initiative.

According to Bloomberg, even business circles have joined the campaign. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla praised Trump for the “Operation Warp Speed” project, which accelerated the development of COVID-19 vaccines, calling it a Nobel-worthy achievement.

The Nobel Committee stated that it had not faced direct political pressure but acknowledged noticing several “open and covert” campaigns.

It should be noted that 338 candidates, including 94 organizations, are competing for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. Among the nominees is Yulia Navalnaya, who is considered one of the favorites by betting agencies.

The laureate will be announced on October 10. Whether it will be Donald Trump or someone entirely different will be revealed tomorrow.