Every October, the world’s attention turns to the Nobel Prizes, which honor outstanding contributions in various fields. The 2025 Nobel Prize announcements took place from October 6 to 13 across six categories: Physiology or Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, Literature, Peace, and Economic Sciences. Below is a breakdown of the 2025 laureates in each category, who received the prizes and why they were honored.

Nobel Peace Prize 2025 – María Corina Machado (Venezuela)

Awarded for: Championing democracy and peaceful change. The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado for “her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy”. Machado has been a leading voice for nearly 25 years against authoritarian rule in Venezuela, keeping the flame of democracy alive under great personal risk. She helped unite a once-divided opposition movement in the demand for free elections and human rights, exemplifying extraordinary civilian courage. Machado’s recognition is significant historically as well – she is the 20th woman ever to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, out of 112 individual laureates in this category.

Upon receiving the award, Machado dedicated it to the Venezuelan people “risking everything they have for freedom, justice and peace”, expressing hope that their struggle will succeed. Her win highlights the Nobel Committee’s emphasis on peace through democracy and civilian leadership, aligning with Alfred Nobel’s vision of promoting fraternity between nations.

Nobel Prize in Physics 2025 – John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, John M. Martinis

Awarded for: Pioneering quantum physics on a human scale. The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics honored three physicists – John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis – for demonstrating quantum mechanical phenomena at a macroscopic scale. In a series of 1980s experiments, they showed that an electrical circuit could exhibit quantum tunneling (particles seemingly “tunneling” through barriers) and energy quantisation (having discrete energy levels) in a device big enough to hold in your hand. This groundbreaking work proved that the “weirdness” of the subatomic world can appear in everyday-scale systems.

The practical impact of their discovery has been far-reaching. Their research enabled ultrasensitive measurement technologies (like MRI machines) and has “laid the groundwork for better cellphones and faster computers” by influencing the development of quantum cryptography, quantum computing and advanced sensors. As the Nobel Committee noted, these experiments opened the door to the next generation of quantum technology. Clarke, Devoret, and Martinis – all professors at leading universities – expressed surprise and joy at how their once-esoteric work became so fundamental to modern tech.

Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 – Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, Omar M. Yaghi

Awarded for: Developing metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with vast applications. Three chemists – Susumu Kitagawa (Japan), Richard Robson (Australia/UK), and Omar M. Yaghi (USA/Jordan) – shared the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for creating new molecular structures called metal–organic frameworks. These are crystalline compounds with an intricate lattice that contains nano-sized pores or “rooms” capable of trapping large amounts of other molecules. By linking metal ions with organic molecules, the laureates designed materials that are extremely porous yet stable.

Their innovation is more than a chemistry marvel – it offers solutions to pressing global challenges. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been used to:

• Harvest water from desert air, providing fresh water in arid environments.

• Extract pollutants from water, helping to clean contaminated water sources.

• Capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, pointing to new ways to combat greenhouse gas emissions.

• Store hydrogen or other gases, enabling safer, more efficient energy storage.

These molecular sponges can even contain toxic gases for semiconductor manufacturing more effectively than conventional materials. By developing MOFs, Kitagawa, Robson, and Yaghi “may contribute to solving some of humankind’s greatest challenges” in sustainability. Their work, initiated in the 1980s and refined over decades, exemplifies how fundamental chemistry research can lead to practical technologies for a cleaner, healthier planet.

Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2025 – Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, Shimon Sakaguchi

Awarded for: Discovering how the immune system regulates itself. The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine went to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Dr. Shimon Sakaguchi for their breakthrough research revealing the mechanism of peripheral immune tolerance. In simple terms, these scientists uncovered a key pathway that prevents the body’s immune system from attacking its own tissues. Each working independently, they converged on the discovery of regulatory T cells – the immune system’s “security guards” that keep immune responses in check. This finding was critical to understanding and treating autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus, where the immune system mistakenly assaults the body.

Their discoveries have already laid the foundation for a new field of research in immunology and spurred medical innovations. Today, scientists are applying Brunkow, Ramsdell, and Sakaguchi’s work in many ways, including:

• Developing better treatments for autoimmune diseases (like improved therapies for diabetes or lupus).

• Improving organ transplant success by controlling immune rejection.

• Enhancing the body’s fight against cancer through novel immunotherapies.

In fact, more than 200 clinical trials are underway building on their insights into immune regulation – a testament to how fundamental biology can quickly translate into real-world impact. The human interest side of this Nobel story is also endearing: Brunkow nearly ignored the early-morning call from Sweden (thinking it was spam), and Ramsdell was hiking off-grid and learned of his Nobel win only after his wife received a flurry of messages. These anecdotes highlight the humble surprise often experienced by scientists whose painstaking work earns the highest recognition.

Nobel Prize in Literature 2025 – László Krasznahorkai (Hungary)

Awarded for: A visionary literary oeuvre amid darkness. László Krasznahorkai, a Hungarian novelist, received the 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature for “his compelling and visionary oeuvre that, in the midst of apocalyptic terror, reaffirms the power of art.” Renowned for his dystopian, surreal narratives and unique style, Krasznahorkai crafts novels that often unfold in extremely long, unbroken sentences – one of his recent works spans nearly 400 pages with only a single period in the text. Such inventive form and dark, absurdist humor have earned him a reputation as a “master of the apocalypse,” as the late Susan Sontag described.

In works like The Melancholy of Resistance and Baron Wenckheim’s Homecoming, Krasznahorkai presents bleak, chaotic worlds yet manages to find slivers of hope and humanity. The Nobel Committee praised how his writing “reaffirms the power of art” even amid gloom, highlighting literature’s role in helping us survive difficult times. At 71, Krasznahorkai has published more than 20 books and remains an influential voice, even openly criticizing authoritarian tendencies in his home country. In his response to the award, he thanked readers and urged everyone to reclaim their imagination: “Without fantasy it’s an absolutely different life… To read books gives us more power to survive these very difficult times on Earth.” His Nobel Prize underscores the importance of artistic vision and intellectual freedom in turbulent times.

Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences 2025 – To Be Announced

Awarded for: Outstanding contribution in economics. The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel (often called the Nobel Prize in Economics) is the final award of Nobel week. In 2025, this prize was scheduled to be announced on Monday, October 13, after the other categories. (At the time of writing, the winner had not yet been declared.) Once announced, the economics laureate(s) will join the ranks of 2025’s Nobel honorees, recognized for research that has conferred great benefit in the economic field – whether in understanding markets, poverty alleviation, behavioral economics, or another impactful area. This award, established in 1968, will complete the list of six Nobel Prizes for 2025, celebrating excellence in economic science alongside the original Nobel categories.

The stories of the 2025 Nobel laureates are powerful reminders of how individual action can advance peace, knowledge, and humanity. From María Corina Machado’s courageous fight for democracy to scientists and artists pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, these laureates inspire us all. You too can help promote peace and resolve conflicts worldwide. Join us in turning inspiration into action – vote on our campaigns to boost peace in conflict regions, make your voice heard, and support initiatives that strive for a more peaceful, just world. Every action, no matter how small, can contribute to the larger goal of resolving conflicts and fostering lasting peace. Let’s honor the spirit of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize by working together to make a difference.

Hero Image: By the The Associated Press.