The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the most prestigious awards in the world. It recognises individuals or organisations that have made exceptional contributions to peace, humanitarian work, and conflict resolution. Here’s a look at the process, from nominations to selections, eligibility, and key facts.

Nominations for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize

For 2025, 338 candidates have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize: 244 individuals and 94 organisations in total, according to the official website. Year 2024 recorded 286 nominations. The highest number of nominations ever recorded was in 2016, with 376 candidates. The nomination deadline for 2025 was 31 January 2025.

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It is important to note that the Norwegian Nobel Committee does not publicly confirm names of nominees, whether to the media or candidates themselves. Occasionally, names appear in the media due to speculation or announcements by nominators, but official records are kept secret for 50 years, respecting the Nobel Foundation statutes.

Who can nominate?

Nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize are unique because anyone who meets the nomination criteria can submit a candidate. No invitation is needed.

Qualified nominators include:

  • Members of national assemblies or governments
  • Judges of the International Court of Justice or the Permanent Court of Arbitration
  • Members of l’Institut de Droit International
  • Members of the International Board of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
  • University professors (history, law, philosophy, social sciences, theology, and religion), rectors, and directors of universities or peace research/foreign policy institutes
  • Past Nobel Peace Prize winners
  • Board members of organisations that have previously won the Peace Prize
  • Current and former members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee
  • Former advisers to the Norwegian Nobel Committee

Note: Self-nominations are not allowed. Nominations must be submitted online through the official form if you are a qualified nominator.

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Eligibility criteria for candidates of the Nobel Peace Prize

Eligible candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize are individuals or organisations nominated by qualified nominators. Only nominations from qualified individuals are considered valid.

How are peace laureates selected?

The Norwegian Nobel Committee, made up of five members appointed by the Norwegian Parliament (Storting), handles the selection of the Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Unlike other Nobel Prizes awarded in Stockholm, the Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, Norway.

Step-by-Step selection process

  1. September (previous year): The Committee prepares to receive nominations from a handful of qualified nominators worldwide.
  2. February 1: Nomination deadline. Nominations received after this date are considered for the following year.
  3. February–March: Committee evaluates the candidates and creates a shortlist.
  4. March–August: Experts and advisers review shortlisted candidates and submit detailed reports.
  5. October: The Committee selects the laureates by majority vote. The decision is final and cannot be appealed.
  6. December 10: The laureates receive their medal, diploma, and prize money in the award ceremony in Oslo City Hall.

About the Nobel Prize

The Nobel Prizes were established by Alfred Nobel through his 1895 will to honour those who “during the preceding year have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind.” The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901 for physics, chemistry, physiology/medicine, literature, and peace. In 1968, the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences was introduced, honouring achievements in economics.

Nobel Peace Prize: Why it matters

  • Recognises exceptional contributions to humanitarian work.
  • Encourages global awareness of pressing issues.
  • Inspires future research, development, and international collaboration.
  • Offers funding and visibility for ongoing humanitarian or scientific work.

Notable Nobel Peace Laureates

  • Mother Teresa: Recognised for humanitarian work.
  • Dalai Lama (1989): Promoted tolerance and mutual respect.
  • Nelson Mandela & Frederik Willem de Klerk (1993): Ended apartheid in South Africa.
  • International Committee of the Red Cross: Awarded three times for global humanitarian efforts.

Indian Nobel Laureates

Prominent Indian recipients include:

Rabindranath Tagore, CV Raman, Mother Teresa, Har Gobind Khorana, Amartya Sen, Abhijit Banerjee, Kailash Satyarthi, Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, VS Naipaul, Subramanyan Chandrasekhar.

Nobel Prize Award Ceremonies

  • Stockholm, Sweden: Physics, Chemistry, Physiology/Medicine, Literature, and Economics.
  • Oslo, Norway: Nobel Peace Prize.
  • Held annually on 10 December, Alfred Nobel’s death anniversary.

FAQ: Quick Facts

Q: Can someone nominate themselves?
A: No, self-nominations are not accepted.

Q: Is being nominated an honour?
A: No. A nomination does not imply endorsement.

Q: Can a Nobel Prize be revoked?
A: No. Once awarded, it cannot be revoked.

Q: Are nominations public?
A: No. Names are confidential for 50 years.