The whole of my remaining realizable estate shall be dealt with in the following way: the
capital, invested in safe securities by my executors, shall constitute a fund, the interest on
which shall be annually distributed in the form of prizes to those who, during the preceding
year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind. The said interest shall be divided
5 into equal parts, which shall be apportioned as follows: one part to the person who shall
have made the most important discovery or invention within the field of physics; one part to
the person who shall have made the most important chemical discovery or improvement;
one part to the person who shall have made the most important discovery within the
domain of physiology or medicine; one part to the person who shall have produced in the
10 field of literature the most outstanding work in an ideal direction; and one part to the person
who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the
abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace
congresses. The prizes for physics and chemistry shall be awarded by the Swedish Academy
of Sciences; that for physiology or medical works by the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm;
15 that for literature by the Academy in Stockholm, and that for champions of peace by a
committee of five persons to be elected by the Norwegian Storting. It is my express wish
that in awarding the prizes no consideration be given to the nationality of the candidates,
but that the most worthy shall receive the prize, whether he be Scandinavian or not.