1. Nomination:
- Nominations can only be made by authorized individuals or institutions, such as members of national academies, universities, research institutions, parliaments, or previous Nobel Prize laureates.
- Each Nobel Prize category has its own specific nominator pool. For example, for the Nobel Prize in Physics, nominations can be made by members of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and certain other distinguished scientists.
2. Eligibility:
- Individuals or organizations must have made significant and original contributions in their respective fields. Research, discoveries, inventions, or achievements must be of exceptional value and impact within the specific prize category.
- Candidates must be alive at the time of nomination. The Nobel Prize is not awarded posthumously, except in exceptional circumstances where the laureate passes away after the announcement but before the award ceremony.
- For organizations, eligibility is usually limited to non-governmental, non-profit entities that have made major contributions to their fields.
3. Timeframe:
- The work or achievement being considered must have been published, presented, or otherwise made publicly available within a specific timeframe. This timeframe varies depending on the Nobel Prize category.
4. Ethical Considerations:
- Nominees must have high ethical standards and a reputation for integrity and responsible conduct in their research and professional activities. Controversies or ethical issues may affect a candidate's eligibility.
5. Confidentiality:
- The nomination and evaluation process are confidential. Information about nominees, nominators, and evaluations is not publicly disclosed unless and until a laureate is announced.
6. Selection and Evaluation Process:
- Nobel Prize committees or awarding bodies evaluate the nominations and conduct rigorous assessments of candidates' work. They may seek input from experts, review publications and research, and conduct interviews or site visits.
- The evaluation criteria emphasize the originality, impact, and significance of the contributions within the specific Nobel Prize category.
- The selection process involves multiple rounds of discussions, comparisons, and voting among committee members.
- Decisions about laureates are made by a majority vote of the committee members.
7. Announcement and Award Ceremony:
- Nobel laureates are typically announced in October, and the Nobel Prize award ceremonies are held in Stockholm, Sweden (for the categories of Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, and Economic Sciences) and Oslo, Norway (for the Peace Prize).
- Laureates receive a gold medal, a diploma, and a monetary award.
It is important to note that the Nobel Prize is highly competitive, and the requirements are set high to ensure that the most exceptional achievements and contributions are recognized and honored.