{Published on July 15, 2011} In late 2012, the winners will be revealed at a special ceremony and on the Rolex Award website. Already, in September 2011, the members of the Jury will be revealed. Among them will be scientists, explorers and environmental specialists who will be called upon to decide on the most entries ever. “It is exciting to see so many people formulating projects to improve life on our planet,” says Rebecca Irvin, Director of the Rolex Institute, a structure associated with governance and not with marketing or sponsorship. This is patronage in the noble sense of the word, in the sense that the old watchmaking families used to practice it, sometimes in the secrecy of their networks. In the program, 20% more files come from developing countries, proof that the relaxation of the application process has also borne fruit in these regions of the world. It will therefore be a question of renewable energy, safeguarding biodiversity and environmental awareness. From the youngest candidate at 8 years old to the oldest at 95 years old, all of them are hoping for their share of responsible notoriety and the financial incentive that goes with it.