Rolex Awards for Enterprise

Since 1976, Rolex has honoured extraordinary individuals who possess the courage and conviction to take on major challenges. Each Rolex Award for Enterprise is given for a new or ongoing project anywhere in the world – one that deserves support for its capacity to improve lives, or protect the world’s natural and cultural heritage. These projects have touched all aspects of humanity by expanding knowledge or improving life on the planet.

Applications for the 2016 Rolex Awards for Enterprise are now open.

In 2016, to celebrate the initiative’s four decades of existence, Rolex will offer five Laureate Awards and five Young Laureate Awards, asking an independent Jury of experts to choose 10 exceptional individuals who demonstrate that they have pioneering projects that will benefit the world.

The Rolex Awards are open to anyone over 18 years of age, of any nationality, whose ground-breaking project is helping to expand the knowledge of our world and improve the quality of life on the planet. Projects are grouped broadly in the areas of science and health, applied technology, exploration and discovery, the environment, and cultural heritage.

The Laureates will each receive 100,000 Swiss francs and the Young Laureates 50,000 Swiss francs each to advance their projects. They will also benefit from worldwide publicity and receive a Rolex chronometer.
Candidates for the Rolex Awards can submit their project ideas in a short online pre-application.

What is the spirit of enterprise?

Rolex Laureates are of all nationalities and backgrounds. They are united by a talent for independent thinking and the capacity to embrace projects that require creativity and determination in the face of considerable odds.

What are the selection criteria?

The Rolex Awards for Enterprise support pioneering work in five areas: applied technology, cultural heritage, environment, exploration and discovery, and science and health. Projects are assessed on their originality, potential for impact, feasibility, and, above all, on the candidates own spirit of enterprise.

Who are the Young Laureates?

Rolex recognizes the refreshing approach that young people have to solving problems. The first set of Awards devoted to Young Laureates, aged between 18 and 30 years, took place in 2009 with the idea of supporting visionary young men and women at a critical juncture in their careers. The 2014 series of Awards will also be devoted to Young Laureates.

What do Laureates receive?

Each Laureate receives 100,000 Swiss francs for his or her project. Young Laureates receive 50,000 Swiss francs. In addition, Rolex ensures winners receive access to its network of more than 100 past Laureates, as well as the benefit of international publicity through media coverage and the Rolex Awards website.

The deadline for pre-applications is 31 May 2015.

Read more and apply here.