The Nobel Prizes for 2025 have commenced, with the first award for physiology or medicine announced on October 6. Scientists Mary Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for their groundbreaking discoveries related to peripheral immune tolerance. Their work promises to revolutionize treatments for conditions such as cancer and autoimmune diseases, as stated by the awarding committee.
Nobel Prizes 2025 Schedule
The Nobel Prizes are awarded over a week, culminating on October 13. The schedule is as follows:
- October 6: Physiology or Medicine, announced by the Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institutet.
- October 7: Physics, announced by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
- October 8: Chemistry, announced by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
- October 9: Literature, announced by the Swedish Academy.
- October 10: Peace, announced at the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo.
- October 13: Economics, announced by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
Understanding the Nobel Prizes
The Nobel Prizes are among the most respected international awards, established through the will of Alfred Nobel. Nobel, a Swedish chemist and engineer, allocated his fortune to recognize individuals who have greatly benefited humanity. The first awards took place in 1901, with additional categories introduced later, including economic sciences in 1968.
Awarding Institutions and Prize Money
Different organizations are responsible for awarding specific prizes:
- Medicine: Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institutet
- Physics and Chemistry: Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
- Literature: Swedish Academy
- Peace: Norwegian Nobel Committee
- Economics: Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
Each laureate receives a gold medal, diploma, and a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor (approximately $1.2 million). The formal presentation occurs on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s death.
Nobel Prize Nomination Process
The nomination process for the Nobel Prizes is confidential. Selected experts and previous winners submit nominations by January 31 each year. While nominators may disclose their submissions, the committees maintain secrecy about nominees for 50 years.
The evaluation takes several months, with committees scrutinizing hundreds of nominations to identify the most deserving candidates. The Peace Prize often aligns with contemporary global issues, while science awards may take years to assess the lasting impact of discoveries.
2025 Nobel Peace Prize Speculations
This year, the Nobel Peace Prize has drawn attention due to global conflicts such as the situation in Gaza and the war in Ukraine. U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly claimed his eligibility for the award, alongside nominations from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Pakistan’s government. These nominations raised questions over Trump’s actual chances, given the committee’s focus on long-term peace efforts.
Nobel Prize Ceremony and Historical Context
The Nobel Prize ceremonies occur in Stockholm and Oslo each year. In Stockholm, the Swedish royal family presents awards for most categories, while the Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo. During these events, laureates receive medals, diplomas, and monetary awards, accompanied by speeches highlighting their contributions to humanity.
Last year, the prizes recognized various individuals, including Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discoveries in medicine, and John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton for achievements in physics. Similar accolades were given to contributors in chemistry, literature, peace, and economics, showcasing the diverse fields of human endeavour celebrated by the Nobel Prizes.
