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 three areas:

• Environment
• Applied science & technology
• Exploration

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.

For this cycle applicants need to be between 18 and 30 years old. The five Young Leaders who are selected will each win 100,000 Swiss francs. All winners are given a Rolex chronometer and benefit from an international publicity campaign. The grants must be used to complete projects.