The 2014 Rolex Awards for Enterprise seek five Young Laureates with concrete projects to make the world a better place.
The Rolex Awards for Enterprise aim to encourage a spirit of enterprise in individuals around the world by supporting pioneering work in science and health, applied technology, exploration and discovery, the environment, and cultural heritage.
Applications are now open for the 2014 Rolex Awards. Rolex is looking for five visionary young men and women ready to tackle the most pressing issues facing our world.
Rolex Awards are given every two years. Applications have opened for the 2014 Awards, which will be exclusively devoted to young candidates. This means only those aged between 18 and 30 years are eligible to apply. The first set of Awards for Young Laureates took place in 2009 with the idea of supporting visionary young men and women at a critical juncture in their careers.
Eligibility criteria
Candidates must be between 18 and 30 years old by December 31, 2014.
Their on-going, concrete projects must improve the quality of life on the planet, expand knowledge of our world or contribute to the betterment of humankind, in the following areas: science and health; applied technology; exploration and discovery; environment; and cultural heritage. (See the 2012 recipients.)
Applicants are asked to submit projects that tackle the world’s most pressing issues in five areas: science and health, applied technology, exploration and discovery, the environment, and cultural heritage. Projects are judged on their feasibility, originality, potential for sustained impact and, above all, on the candidates’ spirit of enterprise. Projects are examined rigorously to choose those that best meet the criteria and an independent Jury selects five winners from a shortlist.
Selection Process
Projects are judged on their feasibility, originality, potential for sustained impact and, above all, on the candidates’ spirit of enterprise. Applicants must show how they will use a Rolex Award to leverage the impact of their projects, and how, through initiative and ingenuity, they will benefit mankind.
Winners are chosen by an international, interdisciplinary and independent Jury of experts. The applications are reviewed by a team of scientific researchers before being presented to the Jury.
Each Young Laureate will receive 50,000 Swiss francs over a period of two years. In addition, Rolex ensures all 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 final deadline for submission is May 31, 2013.