In this edition of TPO Explains, we break down the Nobel Prize—explaining its origins, how winners are nominated and selected, what laureates receive, and some notable recipients throughout history.
October 11, 2025
What’s a Nobel Prize?
Every year, prizes are awarded for contributions in six areas: physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, economics, and peace.
They’re named after Alfred Nobel—the inventor of dynamite and 354 other things—who decided to award those who had “conferred the greatest benefit to humankind.” His last will & testament stipulated that his fortune (worth $232M in today’s dollars) be used to establish and award the prizes.
Cool! How Do I Win?
First, a “qualified nominator” must submit your name. These are typically prominent academics in the relevant field and past Nobel laureates.
Then, committees vote. If you get the majority of votes… You win! Decisions are announced in the first two weeks of October, and prizes are awarded on December 10th—the anniversary of Alfred’s death.
What Do the Winners Win Laureates Laur?
Each laureate receives a gold medal, a diploma, and a monetary award; this year, the prize is 11,000,000 Swedish Kronor ($1.15M USD).
The prizes are presented by the King of Sweden in Stockholm, except for the Peace Prize, which is presented by a committee in Oslo, Norway, in the presence of Norway’s king.
Are There Any Rules?
Nobel Prizes…
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Can be split by up to three people
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Cannot be awarded posthumously
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Can only be given to individuals (except for the Peace Prize, which can go to an organization, e.g., the Red Cross has won three times)
Who Are Some Past Laureates?
Since the first ceremony in 1901, 987 individuals and 28 organizations have won Nobel Prizes, including Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Winston Churchill, Ernest Hemingway, and Martin Luther King, Jr.
The list of laureates isn’t without controversy. Dissenting Committee members resigned after the Peace Prize was awarded to Henry Kissinger (1973) and Yasser Arafat (1994), and the Committee has expressed regret for never awarding Gandhi a Peace Prize.
Want to hear more about Nobel Prizes? Today’s episode of the TPO Explains podcast is for you!
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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Celebrating major contributors to humankind is an opportunity for us to remember that whenever we do anything creative or innovative, we are mirroring the First Creator, the One who made the heavens and the earth.
“Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. You, LORD, are the only God. You created the heavens, the highest heavens with all their stars, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all of them, and all the stars of heaven worship you.”
Nehemiah 9:5-6 (CSB) (read full passage)
Prefer to respond on your knees? Check out our new Sunday newsletter, Praying the News.
