About the Awards
Established in 1976 to foster a spirit of individual enterprise around the world, the Rolex Awards recognise pioneering projects that demonstrate innovative thought and contribute to the betterment of humankind.
The inaugural Rolex Awards commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Oyster chronometer, the world’s first waterproof watch, and were created to encourage individuals ready to take on major challenges to benefit humankind and the environment.
Rolex is launching this year the Young Laureates Programme to foster innovation in the next generation. The original Rolex Awards for Enterprise will continue in 2012, open to any eligible applicant of any age. The Young Laureates Programme complements the original Rolex Awards for Enterprise, it does not replace it: the two variations of the programme will thus alternate on a two-yearly basis.
The next series of the original Rolex Awards for Enterprise will be in 2012. Application forms will be available in mid-2010.
Facts & Figures
- 25,800 applications received and evaluated
- Since the Awards were founded in 1976, 110 Laureates have been selected
- 95 world-renowned experts have served as judges
- Youngest person to win a Rolex Award: 28 years old
- 47 was the average age of applicants in 2008
- Oldest person to win a Rolex Award: 74 years old
- Women made up 23% of applicants in 2008
Latest News from the Rolex Awards
Fighting the “black beast” of global warming
Two Laureates will team up in a bid to help overcome a major driver of global climate change
Battles across the centuries
British archaeologist Geoffrey Summers reveals insights about a major 1810 sea battle
Saving Traditions
Three former Rolex Laureates are saving ancient traditions and are teaching the modern world to embrace cultural heritage.
Young Laureates Programme
Rolex has announced the judges who will choose the first five winners in the Young Laureates Programme
Counting tigers on YouTube
2004 Laureate Shekar Dattatri has created a film guide to monitoring tigers and their prey.
Life in the canopy
1984 Laureate Donald Perry is giving the public access to previously unexplored rainforest regions
Illuminating lives in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea project will provide reliable lighting in 1,100 first-aid posts in isolated villages
The man with 100,000 beetles
1987 Laureate Pierre Morvan has discovered over 600 species of beetles, and invented a new classification method.
Cold truths
Three former Rolex Laureates are exploring the mountain tops and the two poles to research the impact of climate change.
Healing the city
Rolex Awards Selection Committee member Dr Luis Rojas Marcos, originally from Spain, has overcome many challenges to achieve success in his adopted city, New York.
Smallest of a large species
In March 2009, a 0.3-metre-long baby whale shark found in the Philippines made news around the globe.
Project milestones
Two Laureates are set to meet milestones in projects, improving life on Planet Earth.
Broadening horizons
Saving forests and animals requires project expansion for three previous Rolex Laureates
2008 Associate Laureates honoured
Five pioneering individuals have been recognized at ceremonies for their groundbreaking projects.
Awards Ceremony and Forum in Dubai
Passion, determination, persistence and excellence were evident at the Awards Ceremony and Forum held in Dubai in November 2008.
A user’s guide to saving heritage
French art restorer Sabine Cotte is helping to save Bhutan’s cultural riches.
Waste not, want not
Extraordinary Czech scientist Karel Kolomaznik is focusing on turning discarded fat into biodiesel.
Laureates in Paris
Three recent Laureates of the Rolex Awards presented their work to the public in the French capital.
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The Rolex Awards support outstanding initiatives in five key areas of human endeavour: