A nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize can be submitted by any person who meets specific nomination criteria set by the Nobel Foundation. There is no need for a letter of invitation to nominate. Qualified nominators include:
- Members of national assemblies and national governments (cabinet members/ministers) of sovereign states as well as current heads of state
- Members of the International Court of Justice in The Hague and the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague
- Members of l’Institut de Droit International
- Members of the International Board of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
- University professors, professors emeriti, and associate professors of history, social sciences, law, philosophy, theology, and religion; university rectors and university directors or their equivalents; directors of peace research and foreign policy institutes
- Persons who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
- Members of the main board of directors or equivalent of organizations awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
- Current and former members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee
- Former advisers to the Norwegian Nobel Committee
Additionally, a nomination must be submitted by someone from these categories to be valid; self-nominations are not considered. The nomination deadline is typically January 31 each year. Names of nominators and nominees are kept confidential for 50 years.
