John AdoyiWith the 2024 Nobel Prize announcements set to begin on October 7, the world is eagerly awaiting the latest laureates in recognition of their groundbreaking contributions to humanity. As the prestigious awards approach, here are 10 essential things to know about the Nobel Prize:
1. The 2024 Nobel Prize Announcement Schedule
The Nobel Prize announcements will be a week long event starting on October 7 with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Here’s the full schedule:
Join our WhatsApp Channel– October 7: Medicine or Physiology
– October 8: Physics
– October 9: Chemistry
– October 10: Literature
– October 11: Peace
– October 14: Economics
Laureates will be announced from Stockholm, the capital of Sweden for most categories, while the Nobel Peace Prize will be revealed in Oslo, Norway.
2. An Increase in Prize Money for 2024
This year, the Nobel Prize money has increased to 11 million Swedish kronor, which is approximately $1 million USD. This is a rise from the 10 million Swedish kronor awarded in recent years.
3. Origin of the Nobel Prize
The Nobel Prize was established in 1901, following the will of Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor and businessman who left the majority of his fortune to fund the prizes. Nobel’s will stipulated that the awards should go to individuals or organizations who have made the “greatest benefit to humankind” in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace. The Nobel Prize in Economics was added in 1968 by the Sveriges Riksbank (Sweden’s central bank) in Memory of Alfred Nobel. The prize is based on a donation received by the Nobel Foundation in 1968 from Sveriges Riksbank on the occasion of the bank’s 300th anniversary.
READ ALSO: Nobel Prize 2023: Norwegian Author, Jon Fosse, Wins 116th Literature Prize
4. The Nobel Peace Prize’s Unique Selection Process
While most Nobel Prizes are awarded by specialized committees in Sweden, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo. This reflects Alfred Nobel’s decision to entrust the peace prize to Norway, a separate process from the other categories.
5. A Look Back at 2023 Nobel Laureates
The 2023 Nobel Prizes honored a range of extraordinary contributions. Notable winners included:
– Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman (Medicine) for pioneering mRNA-based vaccines.
– Jon Fosse (Literature) for his minimalist and deeply existential literary works.
– Narges Mohammadi (Peace) for her advocacy of women’s rights in Iran.
6. Nominations by Invitation Only
To be considered for a Nobel Prize, one must be nominated by an eligible nominator. Except for the Nobel Peace Prize, nominations are by invitation only, and self-nominations are not allowed. The Nobel Committees in each field review the nominations and select the final laureates.
7. Past Nobel Winners
Since the inception of the Nobel Prize in 1901, it has been awarded 621 times to over 965 individuals and 27 organizations (some winners have received the prize more than once). These laureates have included scientific pioneers, world leaders, writers, and advocates for peace.
8. Alfred Nobel’s Vision for the Prize
Alfred Nobel’s will was explicit in his vision for the prize, stating that it should be awarded to those who “conferred the greatest benefit to humankind” during the preceding year. This legacy continues as the Nobel Prize remains one of the most prestigious honors in the world.
9. Africans Who Have Won the Nobel Prize.
Throughout the Nobel Prize’s history, 29 Africans have been awarded the prestigious honor. South African Max Theiler was the first African to be awarded the prize in 1951. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for developing a vaccine for Yellow Fever. Tanzanian Abdulrazak Gurnah is the 29th African to join the list as the 2021 Literature laureate. Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai was the first black woman to win a Nobel prize in 2004. The Peace Prize has been awarded to Africans the most with Africa getting 14 Prizes. Followed by Literature. Wole Soyinka was the first Black person to be named a Literature Laureate.
10. When the Laureates Receive Their Prizes
The official Nobel Prize Award Ceremony takes place annually on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death. During the ceremony, each laureate receives:
– A Nobel diploma
– A gold medal
– Prize money of 11 million SEK (about $1 million USD).
The ceremony is held in Stockholm, except for the Nobel Peace Prize, which is awarded in Oslo. The event is a grand celebration, honoring the year’s outstanding achievements and contributions to humanity.
