Nobel Institute Confirms Peace Prize Is Non-Transferable After Machado’s Comments
Palm Beach – The Norwegian Nobel Institute has reaffirmed that once a Nobel Peace Prize is awarded, it cannot be transferred, shared, revoked or altered under any circumstances, emphasizing the finality of its decisions.
This clarification came after Venezuelan Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado indicated she might want to give her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to another individual, but the institute made clear such a transfer is not permitted under Nobel Foundation statutes.
According to the Nobel Institute, the statutes governing the prize do not allow for the decision to be appealed once a laureate has been announced, and there is no mechanism for sharing or passing on the award after it has been conferred.
The institute noted that while laureates are free to speak about their intentions after receiving the award, the awarding bodies do not comment on the personal actions or statements of recipients once the prize has been given.
Machado, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her role in advocating for democracy and human rights, had suggested during a television interview that presenting the prize to another individual could be an act of appreciation for particular contributions.
However, the institute’s statement stressed the permanence of the Nobel Prize once awarded, and that the decision stands for all time without provision for transfer or modification.
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the most prestigious international honors, given annually to individuals or organisations that have made significant efforts toward peace, dialogue, or conflict resolution.
Recipients receive a medal, a diploma and a monetary award, and the recognition is intended to highlight their work and contributions in the context of global peace efforts.
Machado’s remarks about potentially sharing or dedicating her prize generated wide media attention, prompting the Nobel Institute to clarify the rules governing the award’s permanence.
The institute’s clarification reinforces that the integrity of the Nobel Peace Prize lies in its fixed nature once granted, preserving the meaning and intent behind the honour awarded to recipients.
While laureates can express personal sentiments about their awards, the Nobel Foundation’s statutes and procedures dictate that the official status of the prize remains unchanged after the committee’s decision.
The Nobel Prize committees have long maintained that they do not revisit decisions or allow changes after announcing laureates, upholding the principle that awards reflect the achievements recognised at the time of selection.
This confirmation from the Nobel Institute comes amid ongoing discussions in international media about the role of peace prizes and their impact on global affairs.
Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize was announced in 2025, and her advocacy work has been highlighted for its commitment to democratic principles and human rights.
The Nobel Institute’s message underscores the importance of understanding the formal rules and traditions that govern internationally recognised awards such as the Nobel Peace Prize.
