Nobel Peace Prize: Does Donald Trump Stand A Chance? How The Winner Is Decided | Explained

Last Updated:July 11, 2025, 12:57 IST

Nobel Prize nominations aren't open to the general public. The Nobel Peace Prize is overseen by a five-member committee appointed by the Norwegian Parliament

During a dinner at the White House on Monday, July 7, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu surprised Donald Trump by handing him a formal copy of a letter sent to the Nobel Committee. (Reuters Image)

Every year, the Nobel Peace Prize captures global attention, not just for who wins it, but also for the mystery surrounding how the winner is selected. From university professors and politicians to former laureates, the list of who can nominate is exclusive.

Recently, US President Donald Trump once again found himself in the headlines after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nominated him for the 2025 Peace Prize, citing his role in the Abraham Accords. While the nomination itself drew media interest, it also reignited a broader question: Who exactly can nominate someone for a Nobel Peace Prize? And what is the process behind choosing one of the world’s most prestigious honours?

Who Can Nominate A Candidate For Nobel Peace Prize?

The Nobel Peace Prize is unlike most global awards; there is no application process. Instead, each year, the Norwegian Nobel Committee sends out invitations to a select group of individuals and institutions who are eligible to nominate. These include:

• Members of national parliaments and governments (cabinet ministers, heads of state, etc.)
• University professors in fields like history, political science, international law, and peace studies
• Directors of recognised peace and foreign policy research institutes
• Judges at international courts
• Former Nobel Peace Prize laureates
• Members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee itself

Thousands across the globe receive these invitations. Still, the identity of nominators and nominees remains confidential for 50 years, a rule designed to protect the integrity of the prize and prevent politicisation.

How Does Nobel Peace Prize Selection Process Work?

The selection process, guided by a legacy left behind by Alfred Nobel himself, is both rigorous and secretive:

• January 31: Deadline for nomination submissions.
• February to March: The Norwegian Nobel Committee reviews all valid entries and drafts a shortlist.
• April to August: Detailed reports are prepared, and expert advisers are consulted.
• September: A final recommendation is submitted to the Nobel Committee.
• October: Nobel Peace Prize winners are selected through a majority vote. The decision is final and cannot be appealed.
• December 10: Nobel Peace Prize is formally awarded in Oslo, on the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.

This year, 338 candidates, including 244 individuals and 94 organisations, are in the running for the Nobel Peace Prize. This is up from 286 nominees last year, though still short of the record 376 nominations in 2016.

What Do Nobel Laureates Receive?

Winners of the Nobel Peace Prize are awarded:

• A green gold medal (made of recycled gold and coated in 24-carat gold)
• A personal diploma
• A cash prize of 11 million Swedish Kroner, currently worth approximately Rs 9 crore ($1.03 million)

But more than the money, the award carries immense symbolic value. Past recipients include Martin Luther King Jr, Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, and the United Nations itself, names that changed the course of world history.

Netanyahu’s Trump Nomination

During a dinner at the White House on Monday, July 7, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu surprised Donald Trump by handing him a formal copy of a letter sent to the Nobel Committee, nominating the latter for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. The reason? Trump’s role in advancing peace in the Middle East, particularly through the historic Abraham Accords that normalised relations between Israel and several Arab nations.

“You deserve it," Netanyahu said at the White House, praising Trump’s diplomatic initiatives. “I want to express the appreciation and admiration not only of all Israelis, but of the Jewish people," Netanyahu said as he presented Trump with his nomination letter.

A visibly surprised Trump responded, “This I didn’t know. Wow. Thank you very much." Trump was clearly pleased with Netanyahu’s gesture and sycophancy, adding, “Coming from you in particular, this is very meaningful."

Though Trump has long projected himself as a global dealmaker and peace-broker, including in negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo and attempts at de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, his name has yet to be called from Oslo. Republican allies have often accused the Norwegian Nobel Committee of political bias for repeatedly passing him over.

To date, three US Presidents have won the Nobel Peace Prize: Theodore Roosevelt (1906) for mediating the end of the Russo-Japanese War, Woodrow Wilson (1919) for establishing the League of Nations, and Barack Obama (2009) for his efforts to strengthen international diplomacy.

Why This Process Matters

In a world where public figures routinely claim to have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, understanding how the system works is more important than ever. The process is designed to reward sustained, credible efforts toward peace, not fleeting headlines. Whether it’s a global statesman, a grassroots activist, or an organization working in war-torn zones, the path to Oslo remains one of the most guarded, prestigious journeys in modern history.

Location :

Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published:

News world Nobel Peace Prize: Does Donald Trump Stand A Chance? How The Winner Is Decided | Explained