How Nobel Prize Nominations & Selection Work

This guide explains the entire Nobel Prize nomination and selection process, from who can nominate to how the final laureates are chosen. You’ll learn the timeline, the roles of the awarding bodies, and the strict confidentiality rules that govern the process.

What You’ll Need

• No special tools or access are needed—this is a factual overview.
• A basic understanding of academic or scientific fields helps.

Step-by-Step

1. Know the awarding bodies. Each Nobel Prize is awarded by a specific institution: the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Economics), the Karolinska Institute (Physiology or Medicine), the Swedish Academy (Literature), and the Norwegian Nobel Committee (Peace). These bodies appoint committees that do the heavy lifting.
2. Understand who can nominate. Nominations are not open to the public. Invitations are sent to qualified nominators—typically university professors, previous laureates, members of the awarding bodies, and certain international organizations. For the Peace Prize, members of national parliaments and governments can also nominate.
3. Send nomination invitations. Each September, the awarding bodies send confidential invitation forms to thousands of potential nominators. The forms ask for the nominee’s name, rationale, and supporting materials.
4. Submit nominations by the deadline. Completed forms must be returned by January 31 of the award year. Late nominations are usually not accepted. Nominators may nominate themselves? No—self-nomination is not allowed.
5. Shortlist creation (February–March). The committees review all nominations and compile a shortlist of about 20–30 candidates. They eliminate those who do not meet the criteria or have insufficient support.
6. Expert review (March–August). The committees send the shortlist to trusted experts for evaluation. These experts write reports on the candidates’ contributions, often focusing on the most recent and impactful work.
7. Committee recommendation (September–October). The committees deliberate and submit their final recommendation to the full awarding body. The recommendation includes a primary candidate and sometimes a few alternates.
8. Final decision. The full awarding body votes in early October. A majority vote is required. The decision is final and cannot be appealed. The laureates are then announced at a press conference.
9. Prize ceremony. The laureates receive the Nobel Prize on December 10 (the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death) in Stockholm (except Peace, which is in Oslo). They receive a medal, a diploma, and a cash award.

Common Mistakes

• Assuming the public can nominate. Only invited individuals can nominate. You cannot nominate someone online or by petition.
• Thinking nominations are public. Nomination lists are sealed for 50 years. Leaking or discussing nominations is a breach of confidentiality.
• Believing the prize is for a lifetime of work. The Nobel is awarded for a specific discovery or contribution that has had a major impact, not for a long career.
• Assuming posthumous awards are common. A person can only be nominated if alive at the time of nomination. Posthumous awards are extremely rare and only possible if the laureate dies after the announcement.

Tips

• If you are a nominator, focus on recent, verifiable contributions. The committees value specific discoveries that have stood the test of time.
• Provide strong supporting documentation. A detailed rationale with references to key publications increases the chance of a candidate making the shortlist.
• Do not nominate the same person every year unless you have new evidence. The committees may see repeated nominations as less serious.
• For the Peace Prize, consider the impact on conflict resolution. The Norwegian Nobel Committee looks for concrete efforts that have actually changed the situation.

Troubleshooting

• What if you missed the January 31 deadline? You cannot submit a nomination for the current year, but you can prepare for the next cycle. Contact the awarding body to ensure you are on the invitation list.
• What if you are not invited to nominate? You cannot nominate, but you can still influence the process by raising awareness of a candidate’s work through publications and public recognition. The committees do read scientific literature and media.
• What if your nominee is not selected? This is normal. Many deserving candidates are never chosen. The committees often revisit candidates in later years, so do not be discouraged.
• What if you suspect a nomination was lost or mishandled? Contact the relevant Nobel committee directly. They are professional and will confirm if they received your form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I nominate myself for a Nobel Prize? No, self-nomination is explicitly prohibited. Nomination must come from an invited qualified person.

How many people can be nominated for one prize? Each nomination can include up to three individuals, but the prize itself can be shared by at most three laureates. For the Peace Prize, organizations can also be nominated.

Why is the Nobel Prize not awarded in mathematics? Alfred Nobel’s will did not include mathematics. The reasons are not fully documented, but it is often speculated that he wanted to honor practical inventions and human benefit.

Can a Nobel Prize be revoked? No. The statutes state that the decision is final and cannot be appealed. Revocation is not possible.

Are nominations ever made public before the 50-year seal? Only if the nominator or nominee voluntarily reveals it. The committees themselves keep everything confidential.

How are the Nobel Prize amounts determined? The prize amount varies each year based on the return from the Nobel Foundation’s investments. In recent years, it has been around 10 million Swedish kronor per prize.

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