Bangkok--31 Jan--Grayling
Thirty years after the launch of its international awards programme, the Rolex watch company is once again inviting enterprising individuals from around the globe to apply to the biennial Rolex Awards for Enterprise.
The five winners of the 13th series of the Awards, to be announced at an Awards ceremony in late 2008, will be part of a long line of outstanding men and women chosen as Laureates since the first Rolex Awards prize-giving ceremony was held in 1978. Each will receive US$100,000, a specially inscribed gold Rolex chronometer and worldwide recognition of their work through international publicity and advertising campaigns. Five Associate Laureates will also be selected. They will each receive a cash award and a steel-and-gold Rolex chronometer.
Open to anyone of any age, nationality or background whose innovative project meets the programme’s criteria — originality, feasibility and potential impact — the Rolex Awards support those with an unfailing spirit of enterprise. Project areas broadly comprise science and medicine; technology and innovation; exploration and discovery; the environment and cultural heritage.
“All projects must improve the human condition and human knowledge,” said Rebecca Irvin, Programme Director of the Rolex Awards for Enterprise. “With the challenges that the world faces today — from climate change to sustainable development — the Awards have gained much relevance over the past three decades. We urge those who not just care deeply about the planet, but who are doing something about it, to apply to the Rolex Awards.”
A total of 1,664 entries from 117 countries were submitted for the 12th Rolex Awards in 2006. The oldest applicant was 97 years old, and the youngest 15 years old, with the average applicant age at 47 years old. The proportion of female applicants rose slightly to 22 per cent, from 20 per cent in 2004.
There was also an unprecedented number of entries from Asia Pacific, including an increase of 66 per cent from Southeast Asia over 2004. With a strong showing of innovative projects from Asia Pacific, five out of ten 2006 Laureates and Associate Laureates are from this region, the highest ever.
“The number of winners and the record amount of entries from the area during the 2006 Rolex Awards are tangible signs of the growing spirit of enterprise,” said Rebecca Irvin. “There are many Asians who are involved in innovative projects and we hope to see even more entries from this region for the 2008 Rolex Awards.”
Applicants are urged to submit their entries as early as possible, so they can be given full consideration by the Rolex Secretariat.
Deadlines for applications are as follows:
Asia, the Pacific and North, Central and South America May 31, 2007
Europe, the Middle East and Africa September 30, 2007
Prospective entrants can complete the official application form available on the Rolex Awards website — www.rolexawards.com — and submit their projects on-line, or download the form and, once completed, post it to the Rolex Awards Secretariat. Further information and application forms can also be obtained by writing to the Secretariat at the Rolex Awards for Enterprise, PO Box 1311, 1211 Geneva 26, Switzerland.
Following review by the Rolex Secretariat, short-listed projects will be submitted to the independent jury, the Selection Committee, which will meet early in 2008.
For further information, please contact:
Polly Kennedy or Ramya Ragupathi
Grayling
Tel: 6325 4606
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]