Facts on the Nobel Prize in Chemistry

On 27 November 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his last will and testament, giving the largest share of his fortune to a series of prizes, the Nobel Prizes. As described in Nobel's will one part was dedicated to “the person who shall have made the most important chemical discovery or improvement”. 

Announcement of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry

The Chemistry Laureates are announced in October every year. Earlier the same day, the members of the Chemistry Committee of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences selects the Nobel Laureates through a majority vote. The decision is final and without appeal. The names of the Nobel Laureates in Chemistry are then announced at a press conference.
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2013 will be announced on Wednesday 9 October, 11:45 a.m. at the earliest.

The Nobel Prize Amount

Alfred Nobel left most of his estate, more than SEK 31 million (today approximately SEK 1,702 million) to be converted into a fund and invested in "safe securities." The income from the investments was to be "distributed annually in the form of prizes to those who during the preceding year have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind." 

The Nobel Prize amount for 2013 is set at Swedish kronor (SEK) 8.0 million per full Nobel Prize.