The 2025 Nobel Prize season officially begins with the announcement of the first award in physiology or medicine on Monday, igniting a week filled with worldwide excitement and anticipation.
From October 6 through October 13, the Nobel Prize announcements will unfold in quick succession: starting with medicine, then physics, chemistry, literature, peace, and concluding with the economics prize the following Monday.
Below is a detailed overview of the schedule and insights into what this year’s Nobel Prizes might bring.
Understanding the Nobel Prize
The Nobel Prize represents one of the most esteemed global honors, founded through the testament of Alfred Nobel, a Swedish inventor, engineer, and industrialist renowned for inventing dynamite.
In his 1895 will, Nobel allocated the majority of his wealth to establish annual awards recognizing individuals who have made the most significant contributions to humanity in the previous year.
The inaugural Nobel Prizes were distributed in 1901, celebrating exceptional achievements in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace.
Later, in 1968, the Swedish central bank, Sveriges Riksbank, introduced the Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, expanding the awards to six categories.
Institutions Behind the Nobel Prizes and Prize Amounts
The Nobel Prizes are conferred by various organizations: the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences handles physics, chemistry, and economics; the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet awards medicine; the Swedish Academy is responsible for literature; and the Norwegian Nobel Committee oversees the peace prize.
Recipients receive a gold medal, a diploma, and a monetary reward funded by the Nobel Foundation, which administers Nobel’s endowment. This year, the cash prize totals 11 million Swedish kronor (approximately $1.2 million), along with global recognition and prestige.
The formal award ceremonies take place annually on December 10, commemorating the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s passing in 1896.
2025 Nobel Prize Announcement Timeline
The Nobel Prize declarations will commence on Monday, October 6, and conclude on Monday, October 13.
Monday, October 6: Physiology or Medicine
Announced by the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet, Wallenbergsalen, Nobel Forum, Solna, near Stockholm.
Tuesday, October 7: Physics
Announced by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm.
Wednesday, October 8: Chemistry
Announced by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm.
Thursday, October 9: Literature
Announced by the Swedish Academy, Stockholm.
Friday, October 10: Peace
Announced at the Norwegian Nobel Institute by the Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
Monday, October 13: The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel
Announced by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm.
Key Themes and Contenders for the 2025 Nobel Prizes
Leading the buzz for the medicine prize is groundbreaking research on hormones that influence appetite regulation.
With obesity affecting over a billion people globally, scientists credited with discovering the hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) are front-runners. Their pioneering work has led to innovative treatments for obesity and diabetes, including drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, which have revolutionized therapeutic strategies worldwide.
Potential laureates include Jens Juul Holst, Joel Habener, Daniel Drucker, and Svetlana Mojsov, who played pivotal roles in identifying and developing GLP-1 during the 1980s. Additionally, Japanese researchers Kenji Kangawa and Masayasu Kojima, known for their discovery of ghrelin-a hormone that stimulates hunger-are also considered, potentially complementing earlier findings such as the identification of leptin in 1994.
In physics, attention is drawn to advances in metamaterials, notably the work of British physicist John Pendry on electromagnetic field manipulation, which has inspired concepts like the “invisibility cloak.”
Heightened Focus on the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025
Global conflicts persist, including the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and escalating tensions in Ukraine, alongside civil unrest and political oppression in various regions.
Despite these serious issues, much of the media spotlight and public discourse around this year’s Peace Prize centers on US President Donald Trump, who has actively campaigned for the award, claiming credit for “ending seven wars.”
At the United Nations, Trump asserted that “everyone says I should receive the Nobel Peace Prize.” On September 30, he reiterated his belief that he merits the prize for potentially ending an eighth conflict, following Israel’s conclusion of its two-year war in Gaza.
Nevertheless, experts suggest his chances remain slim. The Norwegian Nobel Committee traditionally honors sustained peace efforts, international cooperation, and the discreet work of organizations fostering these ideals.
Notably, nominations for Trump include Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Pakistan’s government, though these submissions were made after the official deadline for the 2025 award.
Concerns have also been raised about threats to academic freedom under the Trump administration’s political interventions.
Ylva Engstrom, vice president of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences-which awards the prizes in chemistry, physics, and economics-criticized the administration’s policies as reckless. She emphasized that academic freedom is a cornerstone of democratic societies and warned of potentially severe consequences both immediately and in the long term.
It is important to note that Engstrom is not a member of the committees responsible for awarding the chemistry, physics, or economics prizes.
Inside the Nobel Prize Award Ceremonies
Every year on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death, the Nobel Prizes are officially presented during ceremonies held simultaneously in Stockholm and Oslo.
In Stockholm, the Swedish royal family hosts the event where laureates in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and economic sciences receive their medals and diplomas directly from the King of Sweden.
Meanwhile, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo City Hall by the chairperson of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, honoring Nobel’s directive that the peace prize be presented in Norway.
Each laureate is individually invited to the stage to accept their medal, diploma, and monetary award. The ceremonies also feature speeches from committee leaders that highlight the importance and impact of the recipients’ work.
The events are broadcast globally and followed by an extravagant Nobel Banquet at Stockholm’s City Hall, attended by over 1,000 guests, including royalty, diplomats, scientists, and previous laureates.
2024 Nobel Prize Recipients
The 2024 Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of microRNAs, small RNA molecules that regulate gene expression post-transcription.
In Physics, John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey E. Hinton were honored for foundational research that established the theoretical and computational basis of modern machine learning and artificial neural networks. Hopfield’s 1980s models bridged neuroscience and computation, while Hinton’s contributions revolutionized deep learning, enabling breakthroughs in image recognition, natural language processing, and AI.
The Chemistry Prize was shared by David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John M. Jumper for their advances in predicting and designing protein structures through computational methods. Baker developed algorithms for designing proteins with specific functions, while Hassabis and Jumper, from Google DeepMind, created AlphaFold, an AI system that accurately predicted nearly all known protein structures.
South Korean author Han Kang received the Literature Prize for her evocative prose exploring themes of violence, identity, and collective memory. She is internationally acclaimed for novels such as The Vegetarian and Human Acts, recognized for confronting historical traumas and revealing human vulnerability.
The Peace Prize honored Nihon Hidankyo, the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organisations, acknowledging their long-standing efforts to abolish nuclear weapons and preserve the testimonies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki survivors.
In Economic Sciences, Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James A. Robinson were awarded for their influential research on how institutions influence long-term economic growth and inequality. Their collaborative work, including the seminal book Why Nations Fail, demonstrated that inclusive political and economic institutions, rather than geography or culture, are key to prosperity.
