The Rolex Awards back individuals who are running pioneering projects that improve life on the planet or expand what people know about it. Rolex created the programme in 1976 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Oyster, its first waterproof wristwatch, and has since supported 165 Laureates whose work has reached more than 67 countries. In 2026 the company renamed the programme from the Rolex Awards for Enterprise to the Rolex Awards and moved it from a two-year cycle to an annual one.
It is run from Rolex headquarters in Geneva as part of the company’s Perpetual Planet Initiative. Five Laureates are chosen each round, and the 2026 Laureates came from Indonesia, Nigeria, Peru, China and the United States.
Benefits & funding
- A cash grant to advance the winning project. Rolex calls it substantial funding and publishes no figure on its own pages.
- A Rolex chronometer.
- Worldwide publicity through Rolex’s own media channels and press network.
- Access to the community of Rolex Laureates for advice and guidance.
- Access to the network of experts behind the Perpetual Planet Initiative.
Eligibility
- Anyone over the age of 18 can apply.
- Applicants of any nationality are eligible. Rolex sets no country restrictions.
- The Awards go to individuals, so the person leading the project applies in their own name.
- No degree, diploma or professional qualification is required.
- The project must be original and must fit the programme’s fields: environmental conservation, science, health and technology. The programme site also lists exploration and cultural heritage.
- The project must be able to benefit humanity or the planet, and the applicant must have the skills to carry it out.
- Applications may be written in English, Spanish or simplified Chinese.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Age requirement
≥ 18 yrs
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Application process
- 1Watch the programme site for the next round. The application page still shows the 2023 round as closed, and Rolex has not published a date for the next opening.
- 2Create an account on the Rolex Awards application site once a round opens.
- 3Set out the project: what is new about it, how it will be carried out, and what impact it is expected to have.
- 4Submit the completed application in English, Spanish or Chinese before the round closes.
- 5Rolex reviews the applications with help from experts in the relevant fields.
- 6Shortlisted candidates go through peer review, assessment and interview, and an independent international jury makes the final selection.
- 7Rolex announces five Laureates and presents their projects publicly.
Program timeline
17 March 2022
applications opened for the 2023 round
17 October 2022
the 2023 round closed — the most recent deadline Rolex has published
2023
five Laureates of the 2023 Rolex Awards for Enterprise announced
A later round ran on the Rolex Awards application portal under the name 2025 Rolex Awards; Rolex published no opening or closing date for it
2026
five Laureates of the 2026 Rolex Awards announced, the programme renamed and moved to an annual cycle
Next round
Rolex has not published an opening date