Mission
The Young Laureates Programme, an expansion of the Rolex Awards for Enterprise, fosters
innovation in the next generation. Launched in 2009, the initiative supports visionary young men
and women at a critical juncture in their careers, enabling them to implement inventive ideas
that tackle the world’s most pressing issues in five areas: science and health, applied technology,
exploration, the environment and cultural preservation.
History
The Young Laureates Programme was designed to complement the original Rolex Awards for
Enterprise; it does not replace it. Established in 1976 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the
Oyster chronometer – the first-ever waterproof watch – the Rolex Awards reward extraordinary
and often unrecognized individuals with concrete projects that expand human knowledge and
contribute to well-being. With the new initiative, Rolex is focusing on a younger generation of
achievers who are tackling today’s biggest challenges with a similar spirit of enterprise.