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2014 Rolex Awards for Enterprise

Programme Overview
Programme Overview The Rolex Awards for Enterprise were created to foster a spirit of enterprise and advance human knowledge and well-being. They support pioneering work in five areas: science and health applied technology exploration and discovery the environment cultural heritage Winners are innovators who typically work outside the mainstream and often have limited access to traditional funding. Rather than reward past achievements, the Rolex Awards provide financial assistance and recognition to individuals embarking on new ventures or carrying out ongoing projects. Grants of 100,000 Swiss francs are awarded to Laureates and 50,000 Swiss francs to Young Laureates. All winners also receive a Rolex chronometer. The grants must be used to complete projects. A cycle of awards devoted to Young Laureates was introduced in 2009 to encourage the next generation of leaders.

Selection Process Winners are chosen by a Jury of international experts who themselves embody the spirit of enterprise that the Awards seek to promote. The Jury is international, interdisciplinary and independent. A new panel is convened for each series of Awards, which are presented every two years. Rolex receives as many as 3,000 applications from more than 150 countries for each series. The Awards are open to individuals of any nationality or 1

background. The applications are analysed by a team of scientific researchers before being presented to the Jury. Projects are judged on their feasibility, originality, potential for sustained impact and, above all, on the candidates spirit of enterprise. Applicants must show how they will use a Rolex Award to leverage the impact of their projects, and how, through initiative and ingenuity, they will benefit mankind.

2014 Rolex Awards for Enterprise

Eligibility Criteria
1. All candidates must be between 18 and 30 years old by December 31, 2014. 2. Pre-applications for the 2014 Rolex Awards for Enterprise may be submitted by individuals only. No institutional or collective preapplications are allowed. If a project represents the efforts of several individuals, one person must represent the group and sign the preapplication form. Should such a group effort be chosen, the Rolex Award will be presented to the individual representative. Rolex SA will have no obligation to any other members of the group. 3. No pre-applications on behalf of another person will be accepted. Preapplicants must submit their own ideas and proposals. 4. Pre-applications cannot be submitted by Rolex employees; Rolex agents and retailers and their employees; employees of advertising, public relations and any other agencies acting for Rolex; members of the immediate families of any of the above; any other person closely connected with Rolex SA. Former Rolex Awards and Young Laureates Programme Jury Members, Laureates, Associate Laureates and Young Laureates are also excluded. 5. The Rolex Awards for Enterprise invites pre-applications for projects in the following areas: science and health; applied technology; exploration and discovery; the environment; and cultural heritage. Innovative ideas outside these areas will also be considered. 6. Projects must improve the quality of life on the planet, expand knowledge of our world or contribute to the betterment of humankind. 7. Projects must be envisaged for the future or completed only in part. Completed work, or projects that will be finished when the awards are announced late in 2014, cannot be considered.

2014 Rolex Awards for Enterprise

Pre-Application Process
Pre-Application Process The aim of the pre-application process is to enable interested, eligible individuals to succinctly present their project ideas without having to prepare a full application form. Only pre-applicants whose projects are chosen by Rolex for further consideration will be invited to submit a full application. Pre-applicants will have one month, from the time they create their user account on the application website, to submit their pre-application. The final deadline for submission is May 31, 2013. Pre-applications must be completed in English. Incomplete pre-applications will not be reviewed. Text can be filled in only in the spaces provided. Candidates cannot add pages or annex documents to the pre-application form. Pre-applicants will be notified of receipt of their pre-application form. Selection Criteria In reviewing pre-applications, Rolex will determine primarily whether the candidates show exceptional spirit of enterprise. The following criteria will also be applied to select the projects in the pre-application stage: Clear project purpose; Contribution of the project to expanding the knowledge of our world, improving the quality of life on the planet or betterment of humankind; and Projects feasibility.

2014 Rolex Awards for Enterprise

Frequently Asked Questions


What is the deadline to complete my pre-application form? Pre-applicants will have one month, from the time they create their user account on the Rolex Awards application website to submit their preapplication. The final deadline for submission is May 31, 2013. Will my age make me ineligible to apply for the 2014 Rolex Awards for Enterprise? Eligible applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old on December 31, 2014. Pre-applications from interested individuals of other ages will not be considered. Can we apply as a group/team? No, pre-applications may be submitted by individuals only. If a project represents the efforts of several individuals, one person must represent the group and sign the application form. Can I apply with a project that I finished last year? Pre-applicants must submit projects that are envisaged for the future or that have been completed in part. Undertakings or projects that will be completed when the Awards will be announced late in 2014 cannot be considered. I have just completed my doctoral/masters/university research. Can I submit it as an entry? Pre-applications must represent original and concrete working projects that expand knowledge of our world, improve the quality of life on the planet or contribute to the betterment of humankind. The Rolex Awards are not research grants, neither do they constitute a reward for past achievements. Since projects must have a practical application in improving our world, academic studies and pure research work cannot be considered. Can my business be considered for a Rolex Award for Enterprise? While new businesses are not excluded, they are not specifically targeted by the Rolex Awards. In this sense, the word enterprise does not mean a business venture, but rather a bold, challenging and pioneering undertaking, which does not exclude a commercial activity. I have several projects that I would like to submit to the Rolex Awards for Enterprise. Is that possible? Only one project will be considered per applicant. Additional projects submitted by the same individual will not be considered. 5

I took part in a previous Rolex Awards series and would like to enter again with the same project. Am I entitled to do so? Past applicants excluding former Rolex Awards and Young Laureates Programme winners may apply to several series of the Rolex Awards for Enterprise. Can you tell me why a previous project was not selected for a Rolex Award? This would help me to improve my current application. The Secretariat never discloses the reasons why projects were not selected, nor does it offer advice on how applicants could improve them. In which category should I apply? Applications are not grouped by discipline, neither are there quotas per category. All of the projects in each Awards series are evaluated according to the same criteria. While judges are encouraged to favour diversity in their choice of winners, they may choose whichever projects they find most interesting. In which language should my entry be submitted? English is the only language that will be accepted on the pre-application forms. However, supporting materials that accompany the full-application form may be in languages other than English. I want to edit/update the pre-application I already submitted. Is this possible? No, pre-applicants cannot edit pre-applications once they are submitted. If I am selected for further consideration, what is the deadline to complete my full-application form? Pre-applicants who are invited to submit full-application forms will have one month to complete their applications. If my project is selected for a Rolex Award for Enterprise, what does that imply? Winners receive a financial contribution, which they have to use for the implementation of their project. They are required to attend the Awards ceremony where they receive their prizes. Rolex SA reserves the right to use the winners names, addresses, application forms, photographs and illustrations in published material and advertising connected with the programme. I know someone who could qualify for a Rolex Award for Enterprise. Can I nominate this person or apply on his/her behalf? You cannot apply on behalf of someone else. Individuals must present their own ideas and projects for consideration by the Jury. If you know someone who could qualify for a Rolex Award, you should encourage that person to apply. 6

2014 Rolex Awards for Enterprise

Rules and Conditions


1. Description The Rolex Awards for Enterprise (hereafter the Rolex Awards), a philanthropic programme of Rolex SA, aim to encourage a spirit of enterprise in individuals around the world by supporting outstanding efforts in areas that advance human knowledge and well-being. The Rolex Awards provide financial assistance to people who want to implement concrete working projects. Applicants must submit projects that are envisaged for the future or that have been completed only in part. Completed work, or projects that will be finished when the Awards are presented late in 2014, cannot be considered. 2. Areas of Recognition The Rolex Awards invite applications for projects that fall into the following areas: science and health; applied technology; exploration and discovery; the environment; and cultural heritage. Projects must expand knowledge of our world, improve the quality of life on the planet or contribute to the betterment of humankind. 3. Selection Process Laureates of the Rolex Awards are selected by an independent Jury, from among a shortlist of projects established by Rolex SA. The 2014 Jury will comprise experts of international renown from a range of disciplines, as well as a representative of Rolex SA. This panel has sole responsibility for choosing the Laureates. The Jurys decisions are final and are not subject to appeal. Its procedures and deliberations are confidential and will not be disclosed. Moreover, Rolex SA reserves the right to not reveal any of the decisions taken during the evaluation process prior to the Jury meeting. 4. Selection Criteria In judging applications, the Jury will determine primarily whether the candidates show exceptional spirit of enterprise. Projects are also judged on the basis of their originality and potential impact on the world and on society. Finally, the Jury will consider the extent to which a Rolex Award will contribute to the advancement of the project. The application of the selection criteria will be at the sole discretion of the Jury. 5. Prizes The Jury will choose five Young Laureates, who will each receive CHF 50,000 and a Rolex chronometer. The Young Laureates will be honoured at an 7

awards ceremony late in 2014 as guests of Rolex SA. The Jury may grant other prizes to applicants worthy of support. The amount of these prizes will be determined at the discretion of the Jury. No alternatives to the non-cash prizes will be given. 6. Eligibility To be eligible, candidates must be aged between 18 and 30 on December 31, 2014. An application may be submitted only by an individual. No institutional or collective applications are allowed. If a project represents the efforts of several individuals, one person must represent the group and complete the application form. Should such a group effort be chosen, the Rolex Award will be presented to the individual representative. Rolex SA will have no obligation to any other members of the group. If an applicant is working within an institution, the full amount of the award will go to the applicant only. No administrative fees may be deducted by the institution, nor will Rolex SA pay any fee to the institution. Only one application per person is allowed. Applications may not be submitted by Rolex employees; Rolex agents and retailers and their employees; employees of advertising, public relations and any other agencies acting for Rolex; members of the immediate families of any of the above; any other person closely connected with Rolex. Former Rolex Awards and Young Laureates Programme Jury Members, Laureates, Associate Laureates and Young Laureates are also excluded. 7. Applications Applicants may submit projects through the Rolex Awards for Enterprise website (www.rolexawards.com). There is a two-phase application process: a pre-application, which can be submitted by any eligible candidate, followed by a full application to be submitted by some candidates, upon invitation only. The latest deadline for pre-applications will be May 31, 2013. In order to be considered, pre-applications as well as full applications must be: in English, complete, with all sections filled in, signed, and submitted by the deadline indicated at the time of applying. Candidates may submit additional material if they are invited to submit a full application, and these supporting materials may be in languages other than English. All enclosures must arrive with the application by the deadline given to the candidate. No supplementary information will be accepted after receipt of the project, except if specifically requested. 8

No application materials will be returned to the applicants after the close of the Awards. 8. Notification The five Laureates will be notified prior to June 1, 2014 that their projects have been selected by the Jury. All other applicants will be notified of the status of their projects latest by September 1, 2014. No other correspondence will be exchanged with applicants on the subject of their projects before these dates, except where supplementary information is requested by the Rolex Awards. 9. Publication of Awards Rolex SA reserves the right to use the award winners names, addresses, applications, photographs and illustrations in all media (notably in publications, Internet, press, radio and television broadcast) exclusively in connection with the Rolex Awards, at no cost beyond the award given. By signing the application form, applicants to the Rolex Awards authorise Rolex SA to copy, reproduce or publish their applications if they win an award. Rolex SA will not be liable for any inaccuracy, error or omission contained in any such copy, reproduction or publication. 10. Intellectual Property Rights Entries protected by patent, copyright or any other intellectual property rights, along with those for which such protection is being sought, are acceptable as submissions to the Rolex Awards. However, Rolex SA shall have no duty whatsoever with respect to such submissions and, in particular, shall not be held liable in the event of disclosure of any confidential information contained in the application forms. Rolex SA reserves the right as part of its evaluation process to circulate a limited part of the application to an expert or experts in order to obtain opinions on the project. Subject to paragraph 9 above, projects remain the property of the applicants who submitted them. Rolex SA has no intention of participating, or acting as an intermediary, in the implementation of any project. Nothing in these Rules and Conditions shall entitle any person to use any intellectual property rights of Rolex SA or of any other affiliated Rolex company, or otherwise to associate himself or herself with Rolex SA in any way. 11. Language The present Rules and Conditions are established in English and have been translated into Arabic, Chinese (traditional and simplified versions), French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish. Any dispute arising out of the present Rules and Conditions shall be interpreted according to the English version. 9

12. Responsibility Rolex SA will not accept responsibility in the event of loss, theft or destruction of applications and/or supporting materials, nor will it accept any responsibility for delays in postal delivery or other forms of communication. 13. Governing Law and Jurisdiction The Rolex Awards for Enterprise are based in Geneva, Switzerland at the headquarters of Rolex SA.

The present Rules and Conditions will be deemed to be made under, and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of Switzerland. Any dispute with respect to and in connection with the present Rules and Conditions shall be referred to the ordinary courts of the Canton of Geneva. Entering the Rolex Awards indicates acceptance of these Rules and Conditions.

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