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Rolex SA

Overview

Principal Office: Switzerland

Key Words: innovation, environment, exploration

Website: Link

Rolex SA supports exceptional men and women who are breaking new ground to advance human knowledge and well being. It awards prizes for creative and socially important projects in environment, applied technology, and other categories of innovation.

The Rolex Awards for Enterprise were initiated in 1976. Rolex aims to support individuals on new ventures or ongoing projects. Many do not have access to traditional sources of funding.

The Rolex Young Laureates Program began in 2010. It identifies creative pioneers between 18 and 30 years old, and provides them with funding and encouragement to implement their original ideas and become tomorrow’s leaders.

A high proportion of Rolex Awards are given to individuals working in or for the benefit of the developing countries.
Grant Programs for Agriculture, Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources

Rolex Awards for Enterprise, and Rolex Young Laureates. Both categories of Rolex Awards seek outstanding initiatives in the following fields:
  • Environment -- This category is for individuals who are pioneers in protecting or improving natural and physical surroundings. Past laureates and associate laureates in this category include conservation biologists; social activists promoting environmental causes; and others.
  • Technology and Innovation -- Past laureates and associate laureates include inventors and promoters of technologies in renewable energy, small-scale agriculture, alternative transportation, ecological housing, prevention of natural disasters, water supply, and others.
  • Other Fields -- The other fields are Exploration and Discovery; Cultural Heritage; and Science and Medicine. Some awards in these fields have cross-cutting links with agriculture, energy, environment, and natural resources.
In the Rolex Awards for Enterprise, each of five winning applicants (“laureates”) receives US$100 thousand, a Rolex chronometer, and the benefits of international recognition. Each of up to five additional individuals (“associate laureates”) receives a financial award, a Rolex chronometer, and ceremonies in their home countries.

In the Rolex Young Laureates, each of the young laureates receives US$50 thousand over two years to advance their projects.

APPLICATION:  The Rolex Awards for Enterprise (original program) and the Young Laureates alternate on a two-year basis.

The Awards website describes the awards, the selection committee, the selection criteria, eligibility requirements, and details about submitting applications.

Applicants submit pre-applications online in English, according to a calendar schedule. Rolex invites some of these pre-applicants to submit full proposals.

About the awards, and how to apply. -- Link

Geographical Distribution of Grant Activities in Developing Countries

Worldwide
Comments

The Rolex laureates and associate laureates can be searched by thematic categories, years, and countries. -- Link

The Awards website posts news items. Rolex Awards offers a newsletter that provides updates about its program developments. -- Link

For the 2010 round of competition in the Rolex Young Laureates, Rolex invited selected organizations and individuals to recommend suitable candidates. At the time of this update, Rolex has not announced the selection process for the 2014 competition. -- Link

“Contact Us” posts the Secretariat’s mailing address, telephone, fax, and email address in Geneva. -- Link 
Last Profile Review

February 2012

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