About the Awards
The Rolex Awards support pioneers whose innovative work contributes to the betterment of mankind.
Established in 1976, 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 improve life on our planet.
In 2010, Rolex extended the Rolex Awards by launching the Young Laureates Programme to foster innovation in the next generation. Learn about the first winners of the Young Laureates Programme at young.rolexawards.com.
The Rolex Awards are given every two years. The deadline for applications for the 2012 Rolex Awards closed on 31 May 2011. The winners will be announced towards the end of 2012.
Applications for the 2014 Rolex Awards will open in June 2012.
Sign up to receive news by e-mail about the Rolex Awards for Enterprise, including the 2012 Laureates and applying for the 2014 Awards.
Facts & Figures
- 29,500 applications received and evaluated
- Since the Awards were founded in 1976, 115 Laureates have been selected
- 105 world-renowned experts have served as judges
- Youngest person to win a Rolex Award: 28 years old
- Oldest person to win a Rolex Award: 74 years old
- Women made up 39% of applicants in 2010
Latest News from the Rolex Awards
Rolex Awards celebrate 35 years
The 35th anniversary dinner, held at Britain’s Royal Geographic Society, featured the work of six Laureates
Design solutions
Elsa Zaldívar’s pioneering work in low-cost housing is featured in a United Nations headquarters exhibition
Maya forestry for future generations
Anabel Ford ensures that effective, ancient forestry management is taught to children in Belize
Living in harmony
The work of these Rolex Laureates is helping to renew critical habitats and protect the species that depend on them
Announcing the 2012 Jury
Rolex introduces 12 scientists, environmentalists and explorers who will select the 2012 Laureates
New formula for loofah housing
By shredding loofah sponge and mixing it with cassava scraps, Elsa Zaldívar has created a plaster that can be applied to existing houses
New lease on life for unused medical supplies
Dr Rosenblatt has refined his database that facilitates donations of medical equipment to non-profit organizations in the developing world
Enterprise on two wheels
A public bike-share scheme is another example of David Schweidenback’s small economic miracles
Nomadic school improves children’s lives
Evenk youngsters can now live with their families and learn their ancient culture, thanks to the travelling school set up by Alexandra Lavrillier
Classifying an ancient civilization
Talal Akasheh is making progress in the huge task of classifying all the features of Petra
Ocean noise rings alarm bells
The rising tumult in the oceans caused by human activity may be causing devastating damage
Revealing humanity’s secrets
Scientist turns his pioneering, animal activity-monitoring device onto humans
A passion for grammar
George van Driem’s enthusiastic devotion to linguistics reveals more of Asia’s past
Thunder in the deep
A sound record of the earthquake that shattered northern Japan in March has been posted on the Internet by Michel André
Forest folk
Two Laureates have between them overseen the planting of more than seven million trees to restore ancient forests
Africa’s tortoise saviour
The success of Tomas Diagne’s tortoise sanctuary has spurred him to expand his vision
Ancient hands reach for the future
Borneo’s mysterious and ancient cave paintings are revealed to the world in Luc-Henri Fage’s new book
Rolex Awards team up with top scientists
Rolex sponsors the Royal Society’s annual Scientists Meet-the-Media Party in London
Observing the volcano’s deadly breath
Andrew McGonigle’s new technique refines predictions of volcanic activity
Extreme weather halts solo ascent
Lonnie Dupre calls off his Denali expedition after three-week climb
Revolutionary conservation
Rory Wilson and Brad Norman continue to make surprising discoveries with their ingenious tracking projects
Chilling challenge for American explorer
Lonnie Dupre is attempting the first solo winter ascent of the highest mountain in North America
A Delicate Balance in Baltistan
Shafqat Hussain’s Project Snow Leopard has grown rapidly, promoting coexistence between man and leopard
Rapid growth for youth training scheme
Andrew Muir’s youth training and intervention programme has expanded more rapidly than he imagined
A guide for future generations
Chanda Shroff has published the first in a series of books that lavishly document traditional embroidery
Volunteer travelling doctor’s new destination
Aldo Lo Curto has added Madagascar to the list of over 40 countries where he provides much more than medicine
Guiding aviation through volcano eruptions
Andrew McGonigle discusses how practical applications of his work could help during future volcanic eruptions in international airspace
Associate Laureate makes ‘top 10’
Cristian Donoso ranked fourth on a list of Chile’s 10 greatest explorers by nation’s most influential newspaper
Agricultural traditions ensuring the future
Peruvian agronomist Zenón Gomel Apaza promotes biodiversity for food security
Protecting endangered species
Over several decades, these three Rolex Laureates have dedicated their time, energy and ingenuity to saving an endangered species
Embroidering the future
Chanda Shroff is reviving a dazzling traditional craft and giving women financial independence
The sound of cool
Steven Garrett and his collaborators have been quietly labouring to perfect a refrigerator cooled by sound
More fonio, less labour
Sanoussi Diakité’s labour-saving invention gains is now being used in many countries
In Darwin’s footsteps
Palaeontologist Teresa Manera examines footprints in fossilized sediment on Argentina’s Atlantic coast
Rescuing Thailand’s natural riches
Two Laureates describe their concerns about Thailand’s wildlife and their plans to save threatened species
Antarctic Ardour
Cristian Donoso is completing his second Antarctic expedition, this time to the highest peaks of the Antarctic Peninsula
Young Laureates finalists
Rolex has announced the 27 finalists for the inaugural Young Laureates Programme
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
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The Rolex Awards support outstanding initiatives in five key areas of human endeavour: