How many individuals have been awarded the Nobel Prize and what are the requirements for winning?

 As of 2023, more than 950 individuals and organizations have been awarded the Nobel Prize since its inception in 1901. The exact number can vary slightly depending on how you count shared prizes and organizations, but the total is generally around 970 recipients.

 Requirements for Winning a Nobel Prize:

1. Excellence in a Specific Field: The Nobel Prizes are awarded in the categories of Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, Peace, and Economic Sciences. The work must be groundbreaking and have a significant positive impact on humanity.

2. Nomination Process: 

   - Individuals cannot apply for the Nobel Prize themselves. They must be nominated by qualified nominators who are invited by the respective Nobel Prize-awarding institutions. 

   - Nominations are typically kept secret for 50 years.

3. Eligibility: 

   - For most categories, the recipient must be alive at the time of the announcement. However, if a nominee dies between the nomination and the award announcement, the prize can still be awarded posthumously.

   - Organizations, especially in the Peace Prize category, can also be nominated.

4. Contribution to Humanity: According to Alfred Nobel's will, the Nobel Prize is awarded to those who have conferred "the greatest benefit to humankind" in their respective fields.

Each category has its own specific criteria, but all prizes focus on excellence, impact, and the advancement of human knowledge or peace.